Wanted and unwanted fertility in bolivia: Does ethnicitymatter?

Abstract

Context: In Bolivia, the total fertility rate (TFR) among indigenous populations is higher than that among the nonindigenous population. It is important to investigate whether this difference is attributable to ethnic differences in wanted or unwanted fertility. Methods: Data fromthe 2003 BolivianDemographic andHealth Surveywere used to estimatewomen'swanted and unwanted TFRs.Logistic regression analyseswere conducted to examine whetherwomen's, men's and couples'characteristicswere associated with use of any contraceptive method andmodern methods. Results: The TFRs for indigenous and nonindigenouswomenwere 4.3 and 3.1, respectively.Thewanted fertility rate for indigenouswomenwas nearly the same as that for nonindigenouswomen (2.7 and 2.6, respectively); virtually all of the ethnic difference in the TFRswas attributable to the ethnic difference in unwanted fertility.The proportion of women in need of contraceptionwas greater among indigenouswomen than among nonindigenouswomen (26% vs.19%).In logistic regression analyses, male fertility preferences explained only a small part of the ethnic difference in contraceptive use. Conclusion: Women's, men's and couples'preferences contribute only marginally to unwanted fertility, suggesting that structural factors act as obstacles to preventing unwanted fertility.