Spousal agreement on reproductive preferences in sub-Saharan Africa

"This study investigates spousal agreement on reproductive preferences (fertility preferences and ideal number of children) in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis uses matched couples' data from 14 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) carried out between 1999 and 2004. Additionally, pooled data from the 14 countries are used to explore the aggregate effect of different levels of polygyny (high and low) on spousal agreement on reproductive preferences. Agreement between partners/spouses to have another child ranges from 36 percent in Namibia to 90 percent in Chad. The multivariate analysis indicates that in many countries agreement on having another child is less likely if the woman has some formal education. Additionally, in most countries, the results show that wife's age and the number of living children are consistent predictors of spousal agreement on having another child. Economic status has an important role in 7 of the 14 countries; couples living in wealthier households are less likely to agree to have another child than those in poorer households. Agreement between partners/spouses on the ideal number of children ranges from 13 percent in Chad to 32 percent in Kenya. Overall, a larger proportion of husbands than wives consider a higher number of children to be the ideal. However, the multivariate analysis indicates that, in most countries, the odds of spousal agreement on the ideal number of children are increased if the wife has formal education. The study also looks at the aggregate effect of high and low levels of polygyny on spousal agreement on fertility preferences and ideal number of children. The findings from the multivariate analysis indicates that, regardless of level of polygyny, the most important factors influencing the likelihood that both partners want another child are wife's education, wife's age, number of living children, and household wealth status. However, in countries with high levels of polygyny, type of marriage, difference in spouses' education, and infecundity can havea significant negative impact on agreement to have another child. In all 14 countries, wife's education has a positive impact on spousal agreement on the ideal number of children, regardless of level of polygyny. However, if the husband's level of education exceeds that of his wife, the wife is working for cash, or the household is not poor, the likelihood of spousal agreement on ideal number of children is greater only in the high polygyny group." - p. xi