Children Ever Born and Socio‑economic Determinants among Ever‑married Women in Palungtar Municipality Ward No. 5, Gorkha, Nepal

Abstract

Children ever born (CEB) is a cumulative fertility indicator reflecting women’s reproductive history and its links to socio‑economic, demographic, and cultural factors. This study investigated socio‑economic determinants of CEB among ever‑married women in Palungtar Municipality Ward No. 5, Gorkha District, Nepal. A community‑based cross‑sectional analytical study was conducted among 420 ever‑married women aged 15–49 years using systematic random sampling. The outcome, children ever born, was dichotomized into ≤ 2 and  >2 children. Descriptive statistics, chi‑square tests, and binary logistic regression identified factors associated with having >2 children. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Forty‑three point eight percent of respondents had > 2 children. In multivariable analysis, older age (women 45–49 vs 15–24 years: AOR =  5.72; 95% CI: 2.31–14.15), no formal education, monthly household income < NPR 20,000, marriage before 18 years, lack of contraceptive knowledge, no mass‑media exposure, agricultural occupation, and son preference were independently associated with higher odds of having >2 children. Fertility in Palungtar Ward No. 5 is shaped by socio‑economic disparities, early marriage, limited reproductive information, and gender norms. Local interventions should prioritize girls’ education, delayed marriage, family‑planning counselling, women’s empowerment, and gender‑equitable awareness.