Page 164 - IJPS-11-5

International Journal of
Population Studies Contraception and fertility in Zambia

in sexual activity has experienced a notable rise during the To address reproductive health challenges relating
analysis period. The observed increase in contraceptive use to unintended pregnancies, SRH programs, such as
has resulted in a significant reduction in fertility and teenage comprehensive sexuality education, should be prioritized.
pregnancy rates in Zambia. Several studies have documented a Comprehensive sexuality education linked with accessible
positive relationship between increased contraceptive use and SRH services has shown promise in reducing early and
fertility reduction in SSA countries (Ariho & Kabagenyi, 2020; unplanned pregnancies among adolescent girls who are still
Dasgupta et al., 2022; Orwa et al., 2023; Tetteh et al., 2022). in school (Mbizvo et al., 2023). These interventions should
This is because contraceptive use directly enables women target multiple levels, including individual factors like
to manage the timing and number of their pregnancies. By contraceptive use and knowledge, interpersonal influences
offering reliable methods to prevent unintended pregnancies, such as peer pressure and family dynamics, community-level
space births, and limit family size, contraceptives support socio-cultural norms, and policy environments affecting
women in achieving their personal or FP objectives (Bietsch access to SRH information and services (Malunga et al., 2023).
et al., 2021; Bongaarts, 2017; Shasha et al., 2023; Sikaluzwe et Furthermore, improving access to FP services, particularly for
al., 2024). This control over reproductive choices leads to a women with low education levels, is crucial to further reduce
reduction in the overall number of births a woman is likely unintended pregnancies in Zambia (Sikaluzwe et al., 2024).
to have throughout her reproductive years. This implies that This study also highlights the importance of women’s
improving access to and utilization of contraceptive methods education, age at first marriage, and age at first sexual encounter
among reproductive-aged women has the potential to further in determining fertility reduction. The findings show that an
reduce fertility levels in SSA countries. increase in the proportion of women who attained secondary
Prior studies conducted in other countries have affirmed or tertiary education in Zambia significantly contributed to
that increased contraceptive use among fecund women a reduction in fertility and teenage pregnancy rates. Existing
has a negative effect on fertility rate (Bongaarts, 2017; literature shows that there is an association between women’s
Garenne, 2018; Schoumaker, 2019). This study’s findings education status and fertility dynamics (Alazbih et al., 2021;
corroborate previous findings on the positive effect of Ariho & Kabagenyi, 2020; Olowolafe et al., 2023; Tetteh et
increased contraceptive use on fertility rate changes (Ariho & al., 2022; Wasswa et al., 2021), suggesting that increasing
Kabagenyi, 2020; Garenne, 2018; Schoumaker, 2019). A study education levels lead to increased contraceptive use, delayed
in Uganda found that increased contraceptive use contributed marriage, and a smaller family size desire. Women who have
to an 8.2% reduction in fertility rate in 2006 – 2016 (Ariho & attained secondary or higher level education are more likely
Kabagenyi, 2020). Another study in Ethiopia reported that to delay marriage and desire small families (Bongaarts, 2020;
an 18.6% increase in contraception use recorded in 2000 – Mapoma et al., 2018; Okoli et al., 2022). This signifies how
2011 contributed 30% to the decline in fertility rate during education influences the reproductive behavior of women.
the same period (Wondimagegenhu, 2012). The finding Furthermore, scholarly investigations demonstrate a notable
of this current study implies that increasing contraceptive decrease in the occurrence of adolescent pregnancies among
use further among Zambian women is key to the country’s teenagers with elevated levels of educational attainment. This
population policy’s goal of fertility reduction. implies that education plays a crucial role in equipping young
Furthermore, prior studies have highlighted the women with the knowledge to make well-informed choices
significance of contraceptive use in reducing teenage regarding their reproductive health decisions. Therefore,
pregnancy rates. A study conducted in Ghana by Tetteh et al. increasing access to education can further contribute to
(2022) reported that not using contraceptives consistently reducing early pregnancy risk among teenagers.
and correctly, especially among adolescents, significantly Our study has also shown that age at first sexual experience
increased the risk of pregnancy. Manlove (2015) found that and age at first marriage are key factors in determining
changes in contraceptive methods, particularly an increase in fertility and teenage pregnancy rates. Hertrich (2017) and
condom use, contributed to a 48% decline in teen pregnancy Casterline et al. (2017) examined the relationship between
rates between 2002 and 2010 in the United States of the age at first marriage and the beginning of the fertility
America. These findings suggest that proper and consistent transition and claim that the fertility transition is extremely
contraceptive use among adolescents is crucial in reducing improbable when women experience sexual debut or enter
the risk of teenage pregnancies, indicating a direct link their first partnerships at very young ages. According to
between increased contraceptive use and fertility reduction. these scholars’ findings, a change in the age at first marriage
This implies that addressing contraceptive behaviors among has served as a more significant indicator of early fertility
adolescents can play a significant role in reducing fertility decline than changes in contraceptive use across many
rates and preventing unintended pregnancies. countries in SSA (Casterline et al., 2017; Hertrich, 2017).

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 158 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.4866