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BMC Women's Health

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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Differential effect of wealth quintile on modern contraceptive use and fertility: evidence from Malawian women

Authors: Stephen A Adebowale, Sunday A Adedini, Latifat D Ibisomi, Martin E Palamuleni

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

High fertility and wide inequality in wealth distribution are phenomenal problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Modern Contraceptives (MC) are useful for limiting fertility, but are not always easily accessible in Malawi. This study examines the gap in MC use and fertility between women in the richest and poorest Wealth Quintile (WQ).

Methods

The study was cross-sectional in design and utilized Malawi DHS dataset, 2010. It focused on women of reproductive age. The dependent variables are ever and current use of MC. Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression were used for the analysis.

Results

Mean children ever born by women in the poorest and richest WQs were 3.94 ± 2.7 and 2.82 ± 2.3 respectively (p < 0.001). The adjusted total fertility rate (Adj.TFR) was higher among women in the poorest (Adj.TFR = 7.60) WQ than the richest (Adj.TFR = 4.45). The prevalence of ever use of MC was higher among women in the richest WQ (82.4%) than the poorest (66.8%) (p < 0.001). Similar pattern exists for current use of MC; 58.5% and 45.9% for women in the richest and poorest WQs respectively (p < 0.001). Women in the richest WQ were more likely to ever use (OR = 2.36; C.I = 2.07-2.69, p < 0.001) and currently using (OR = 1.66; C.I = 1.40-1.97, p < 0.001) MC than their counterparts in the poorest WQ. Slight reduction in odd-ratio of MC use among women in richest WQ resulted when socio-demographic variables were used as control.

Conclusion

Fertility was higher and the use of MC was lower among women in the poorest than their counterparts in the richest WQ. Ensuring availability of MC at little or no cost may bridge the gap in contraceptive use between women in the poorest and richest WQ in Malawi.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6874/14/40/prepub

Title: Differential effect of wealth quintile on modern contraceptive use and fertility: evidence from Malawian women
Authors: Stephen A Adebowale
Sunday A Adedini
Latifat D Ibisomi
Martin E Palamuleni
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-14-40

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Differential effect of wealth quintile on modern contraceptive use and fertility: evidence from Malawian women

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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