Determinants Of Fertility Behavior Among Persons In Union In Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the relationship between determinants and fertility behavior among persons in union in Ogo Oluwa Local Government area, Oyo State. Data for this paper was collected using systematic random san1pling technique; the respondents were persons in union aged 15-49 who had ever married. The data for this work was generated from questionnaire survey administered to 400 persons in union of the reproductive age of 15-49 years. These persons in union were sampled from 8 villages in the Local Government Areas. Statistical techniques such as Descriptive statistics, Chi-Square (X2), and Multinomial Logistic Regression analysis were employed as tools for the analysis. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed there is high incidence of 1-4 children ever born, living children and ideal number of children within the local government area. The result of the Chi-Square showed significant relationship between age at marriage, number of partner in union, number of marriage, occupation, early marriage, unemployment, partner's religion, sex preference and fertility behavior. The multinomial logistic regression result identified key indicators of fertility behavior in the local government area which were; partner's education, partner's occupation and place of residence determined 1-4 children ever born, while age at marriage, partner's occupation, place of residence, level of education, early marriage and contraceptive use determined more than children ever born. Thirty-nine per cent of the variation in fertility behavior was explained by these variables. Based on these findings, compulsory education for maternal, child and youth, promotion of family planning, increase in age at marriage, and family planning availability was recommended.

Keyword: fertility behavior, contraceptive use, education, children ever born, age at marriage