Page 106 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Male fertility in Uganda

In addition, this study demonstrates that the onset of polygamous behavior and the early onset of fatherhood
male fertility transition occurred in 2006 and continued (Schoumaker, 2017; Tabutin et al., 2020). Previous studies
through 2016, although the estimated TFRm decline was argue that the duration of cohabitation and marriage
not significant. Men were found to be highly fertile between influences decision-making on the timing of childbearing
the ages of 20 and 44 years, although the trend markedly initiation and lifetime exposure to childbirth and fertility
declines after age 50. It may be argued that the majority (Manning, 1995; Zhang, 2011). Thus, this study suggests
of men in Uganda attain satisfaction with childbearing or that the decline in CEB is positively associated with
desired lifetime fertility after reaching the age of 50 years delaying the formation of marital unions and cohabitation.
and older. These findings conform to existing evidence Considering the type of occupation, decreased
indicating that ASFRm among men are likely to increase proportions of men engaged in the agriculture sector
during the reproductive years, peaking in the 30 – 34 age contributed to the decline in CEB, while increased
groups (Tragaki & Bagavos, 2014; Zhang, 2011). proportions of men residing in urban areas also reduced
Based on the regression analysis results, changes in CEB. These are also significant indirect factors associated
male fertility between 2006 and 2016 occurred primarily with male fertility transition and might be key indicators
due to an increase in the proportion of men who had their explaining the influence of urbanization on male fertility
first child at age 25 or older and those who had attained behavior and decision-making.
secondary or higher education. Most importantly, an In terms of religion, changes in the proportional
increase in the proportion of men who delayed childbirth composition of only Muslim men increased CEB.
until after age 25 contributed to the transition in CEB. In According to the literature, the influence of religion on
addition, a higher proportion of men who had attained CEB is often sustained through the staunch behavioral
secondary or higher levels of education were associated practices of religious values and norms (Zhang, 2011).
with reduced CEB. These findings are comparable to a It is also argued that polygamy practices, which are
Nigerian study, which indicated that men with higher predominantly permissible specifically among Muslims,
education are more likely to have fewer CEB compared are the main driver of fertility (Adewole et al., 2018;
to their counterparts who had lower education (Adewole Alamri, 2011; Mashhour, 2005). Furthermore, an increase
et al., 2018). Although changes due to coefficients were not in the proportion of men with multiple lifetime partners
significant in our study, existing literature argues that the had a positive potential for increasing CEB. These results
influence of education is strongly positive for childbearing concur with previous studies showing that an increase
outcomes among men (Duvander & Andersson, 2006; in the number of lifetime partners is often influenced by
Lappegård & Rønsen, 2013; Nisén et al., 2017; 2014; remarriages, polygamy, and experiences related to unstable
Tragaki & Bagavos, 2014). Therefore, the observed change marriages, especially among economically disadvantaged
in CEB due to differences in the proportional composition families (Adewole et al., 2018; Manlove et al., 2008). This
of men supports the literature on male fertility. Specifically, study contributes to the emerging literature on multiple-
it shows growing potential for either avoiding the onset partner fertility in Uganda (Candia & Kisangala, 2021).
of fatherhood among adolescents and young men or
improving the desire to remain in school to attain secondary In terms of reported contraceptive use, an increase in
and higher education, thereby eventually changing fertility the proportion of men reporting contraceptive use, either
preferences. These are significant indirect determinants of by themselves or by their spouses, did not significantly
contribute to a decline in CEB. It is important to note that
male fertility.
the increase in contraceptive use among men in Uganda
In addition, a reduction in the proportion of polygamous was also previously reported in the literature, although
men (those with more than two current wives) and those there were no specific discussions on contraceptive use
whose combined duration of cohabitation and marriage and male fertility (Namasivayam et al., 2019). Thus, our
was 10 years or more significantly contributed to the findings suggest that the use of highly efficacious modern
changes in CEB during the study period. These proximate contraceptive methods remained insufficient and unable to
factors were found to be responsible for the change in meaningfully drive changes in male fertility between 2006
CEB during the study period. Indeed, a decrease in the and 2016. Furthermore, based on literature, contraceptive use
proportion of men with two or more wives (polygamous often relies on the level of knowledge regarding the method
marriages) and those who experienced a longer duration of used by spouses; yet, fewer men have such knowledge.
cohabitation and marriage (exceeded 10 years) contributed This further reinforces the argument that the influence of
to a reduced CEB. The results conform to existing literature, contraceptive use on male fertility is largely indirect and is
which reflects that higher fertility levels are enhanced by often achieved through female partner contraceptive uptake

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 100 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.461