Multilevel analysis of male fertility behaviour in Nigeria

Abstract

Context/Background: Fertility level in Nigeria remains high and currently, it stagnating at about six children per woman. Demographic literature had established the existence of preponderance of factors sustaining a high level of fertility in the country. Most previous studies on fertility had focused on women, and a few that examined male fertility behaviour focused mainly on individual-level factors, ignoring the influence of community contexts. This study, therefore, examined the influence of an individual, household and community level factors on male fertility behaviour in Nigeria.Data source and Methods: The study used male data from 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).Results: Results showed that community variables like region, ethnic diversity, community family-size norm and community-level of education significantly influenced male fertility behaviour in Nigeria (p<0.05).Conclusion: The study thus established community contexts as an important factor influencing male fertility behaviour, and this factor must be taken into consideration in the efforts to reduce the fertility level in Nigeria