Decision making autonomy and fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Decision-making autonomy as a component of women’s status is a less studied indicator of fertility behaviour in Nigeria. Data and Methods: The study utilizes the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data to determine women’s characteristics associated with decision-making autonomy and examine the influence of decision-making autonomy on fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria. Relationships between decision-making autonomy and fertility behaviour were examined using Poisson and Binary logistic regressions. Results: Results showed that, about 60% of currently married women were of low autonomy. Decision-making autonomy was associated with women’s age, age at marriage, level of education, religion, employment status, type of residence and household wealth status.  The result further showed that women’s decision-making autonomy was significantly associated with lower number of living children and increased contraceptive use. Conclusion: The study concludes that women’s decision-making autonomy is an important predictor of fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria.