Socio-Economic and Reproductive Factors Associated With Children Ever Born Among Rural Danuwar Women in Sindhuli District, Nepal

Abstract

Fertility remains an important demographic and reproductive health concern among rural and marginalized communities in Nepal. This study examined socio-economic and reproductive factors associated with fertility among rural Danuwar women in Sindhuli District, Nepal. A rural household-based analytical cross-sectional design was used with 320 married Danuwar women of reproductive age. Fertility was measured as children ever born, and variables included age at marriage, education, household wealth, media exposure, family planning knowledge, and child-death experience. The mean number of children ever born was 2.67 ± 1.82. Higher fertility was found among women who married before age 18, had no formal education, belonged to low-wealth households, lacked media exposure, had lower family planning knowledge, and had experienced child death. Fertility was lower among women with secondary or higher education, better household wealth, greater media exposure, and stronger family planning knowledge. The findings show that fertility among rural Danuwar women is shaped by overlapping socio-economic and reproductive disadvantages. Policies should prioritize girls’ education, delayed marriage, child-survival interventions, and culturally sensitive family planning counseling.