Family structure and fertility behavior among undergraduates of the distant learning institute in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Reproductive Health
32
Issue: 1
(02 - 2018)
Context/Background: Given the current socio-economic conditions of the Nigerian nation-state, it is
logical to say that the resources needed to cater for its ever-growing population are limited and the
trend has moved the nation to adopt an anti-natalist policy. However, there is a paucity of empirical
studies on the influence of family structure, as an intergenerational factor, on fertility behavior in South-
Western Nigeria and thus, this study investigates the association between family structure and fertility
behaviour in Lagos.
Data Sources and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 185 married
undergraduates of the Distance Learning Institute at the University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. Multi-
stage and simple random sampling was employed in selecting the respondents.
Findings: The study revealed that the size of an individual’s family of orientation (O.R. = |.22) and
income (O.R. = 1.40) are predictors of the individual’s fertility and fertility preference.
Conclusion: Attention should be given to the socio-economic factors that shape fertility behaviour and
the immediate and unmet need for contraception among couples.
Keywords: Fertility behaviour, Fertility, Fertility preference, Family structure
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