Page 142 - IJPS-11-5

International Journal of
Population Studies Fertility desire of married women

Most studies on fertility preference in SSA have focused The GAD framework emphasizes the role of gender
on examining determinants of the desire for more children power dynamics in shaping access to reproductive health
in countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, and Uganda services and decision-making autonomy. Patriarchal
(Babalola et al., 2017; Mardi et al., 2018; Naghibi et al., 2019). structures in many SSA societies restrict women’s agency
Others have examined broader regions such as SSA and in determining their reproductive choices, including
East Africa (Ahinkorah et al., 2021; Casterline & El-Zeini, contraception use and fertility preferences (Ahinkorah et al.,
2007; Cleland et al., 2020). These studies are important 2021; Kidie et al., 2024). Women with limited autonomy
because they provide useful information to understand often face barriers to negotiating contraceptive use or
the causes of high fertility in SSA. Despite this extensive limiting childbearing, as male partners, extended family, or
research, there is also a need to understand the profiles cultural norms may dictate reproductive decisions (Oronje
and factors that are associated with the desire to limit et al., 2011). Empowering women through education,
childbearing among women of reproductive age, especially economic independence, and policy interventions that
in high-fertility countries. This study examines fertility promote gender equality can enhance their ability to act
behavior in high-fertility countries in SSA (Gabon, Mali, on fertility preferences and make informed reproductive
Tanzania, and Zambia) using the most recent demographic health decisions (Atake & Gnakou Ali, 2019).
and health survey data, offering a comparative perspective On the other hand, the Social Influence Theory highlights
on regional reproductive behaviors. Unlike many studies how societal norms, peer expectations, and religious beliefs
focused on single countries, this study addresses the lack shape individual fertility decisions. In SSA, fertility is
of research on factors influencing married women’s desire often tied to social status, with large families symbolizing
to limit childbearing. Understanding these factors is wealth, lineage continuity, and social security (Hoyweghen
essential for shaping effective reproductive health policies, et al., 2022; Qamar, 2022). Religious doctrines, community
improving access to family planning, and promoting leaders, and peer networks influence perceptions of ideal
gender equality. Beyond academic contributions, this family size and contraceptive use (Ahinkorah et al., 2021;
research has key policy implications, emphasizing targeted Muluneh & Moyehodie, 2021). In contexts where high
interventions to support younger, less-educated women fertility is culturally reinforced, women may feel pressured
and enhance women’s autonomy through economic to have more children despite personal preferences to limit
empowerment. births. Understanding these social pressures is crucial for
designing culturally sensitive family planning programs that
1.1. Theoretical framework
address communal attitudes while promoting reproductive
The decision to limit childbearing can be analyzed autonomy (Church et al., 2023).
through an expanded theoretical lens that integrates By combining Easterlin’s demand–supply framework
Easterlin’s demand–supply framework of fertility, the with the GAD framework and the Social Influence
Gender and Development (GAD) framework, and the Theory, this study provides a more holistic analysis of the
Social Influence Theory. This multitheory approach determinants of the desire to limit childbearing among
provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay married women in SSA. Easterlin’s model explains the
between economic, sociocultural, and structural factors economic and demographic drivers of fertility decisions,
shaping reproductive behavior. Easterlin’s demand–supply whereas the GAD framework highlights gender-
framework posits that fertility outcomes are shaped by the based constraints, and the Social Influence Theory
balance between the demand for children, the supply of contextualizes fertility choices within broader social and
children, and the costs associated with fertility regulation cultural expectations. This integrated approach offers
(Bongaarts, 1993; Easterlin, 1975; Qamar, 2022). The critical insights for policymakers and reproductive health
demand for children reflects socioeconomic and cultural practitioners, emphasizing the need for multi-faceted
influences on desired family size, while supply refers to the interventions that address economic constraints, gender
biological capacity for childbearing, influenced by health inequalities, and sociocultural norms influencing fertility
and mortality rates (Bongaarts, 2020). Couples regulate behavior in SSA.
fertility through contraception when the cost of having
additional children outweighs the perceived benefits 2. Data and methods
(Bwalya et al., 2023). Economic development, increased
female education, and urbanization have been associated 2.1. Data source and sample size
with reduced fertility desires, as women weigh career “The data for this study were drawn from the latest
opportunities and financial stability against childbearing Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in four
(Muhoza, 2019). SSA nations: Gabon (2019 DHS), Mali (2018 DHS), Tanzania

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 136 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5584