Socio-Economic and Demographic Factors Shape Fertility Preferences at Sudurpaschim Province in Nepal

Abstract

Background: Fertility preferences as reproductive behavior indicators and socio-economic demographic determinants. Nationally, fertility decline in Nepal doesn't conclude regional disparity, especially Sudurpaschim Province. The study aims to examine the factors that affect fertility preferences of reproductive-age women.

Methods:  A cross-sectional, population-based analysis of secondary data collected from the NDHS 2022 was used. The study’s respondents were 1,627 women aged from 15- 49 years. The unadjusted associations were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests followed by multivariable logistic regression to estimate aORs with their 95 percent confidence intervals for key predictors. The analysis also incorporated sampling weights and complex survey design variables.

Results:  Descriptive findings indicate that women's fertility preferences are greater among the poorer, younger, and those with secondary education. The aspirations of fertility desire were highest among younger women between 15-19 years (19.2%) and lowest in that group of women among the age categories 40 and beyond. Among the independent variables in the adjusted regression model, age is by far the strongest predictor, with women aged 20–24 and 25–29 age categories wanting additional children significantly more than other age groups (aOR = 0.056 and 0.028, respectively; p < 0.001). The significance of education, occupation, and media exposure disappeared with adjustment, suggesting mediation by factors related to demography.

Conclusion: Thus, age and its related life cycle dynamics are the primary determinants of fertility preferences in Sudurpaschim, rather than the traditional socio-economic. Policies should address reproductive education at different ages and promote early couple based age-specific family planning interventions in accord with region-specific socialcultural contexts.