Childbearing dynamics among married women of reproductive age in Nigeria: re-affirming the role of education

Abstract

Nigeria ranks among the high-fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies that examine relationship between fertility dynamics and education are important to improving maternal and child health. This study uses 2008 NDHS dataset on births history of married women of childbearing age. Data were analysed using ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazard models. Mean CEB were 6.72 and 4.31 among women with no formal education and higher education respectively. Majority (38.6%) of the women left 24-35 months births-interval. Women with lower education exhibited shorter births-interval and higher completed fertility than more educated women. The Births Progression Hazard Rate from marriage to 1 birth was higher among highly educated women than those with no education, but reverse pattern was observed at higher order births. This pattern barely changes after controlling for other socio-demographic variables. Education remains an important factor in fertility dynamics in Nigeria; therefore, existing policies addressing female education should be sustained.