Desire for a Child in Rural Area of Bangladesh: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Abstract

The main focus of this study is to draw attention to some demographic, socio-cultural and economic, and programmatic factors, which are affecting the desire for a child in rural area of Bangladesh. The study shows that about 40% of the rural women aged 10-49 years desired for a child. Applying logistic regression model with R² and correct classification rate for checking the quality of fit on Bangladesh Demographic and health Survey (BDHS) 2004 data, the findings indicate that for achieving the replacement level fertility, the family planning program should be strengthened among the ever-married women under age 30 years. The probability of desire for an additional child is significantly higher in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions. It has also been clearly observed that desire for a child is higher among women having age at marriage 18+ years and also among women having higher education. Women having access to mass media especially TV have a statistically lower probability in desiring for a child than those without access. The probability of desire for an additional child is significantly lower for women who are involved to NGOs than that of the women who are not involved. Finally, the paper provides some suggestive policy measures so that the planners and implementers may take appropriate initiatives for achieving the replacement level fertility in Bangladesh.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/rujs.v38i0.16550

Rajshahi University J. of Sci. 38, 75-86 (2010)