Factors Affecting Fertility Behavior of Women in Karnali Province of Nepal

Abstract

Fertility is a crucial aspect of understanding population growth particularly in developing countries, and is influenced by social and economic factors. This study examines 1. fertility behavior among women in Nepal's Karnali province using secondary data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The findings show that Karnali province has a total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.6, which is higher than the national average of 2.0. The mean number of Children Ever Born (CEB) in the province is 2.64. While 16 percent of the women still want more children, a majority (64%) do not. Regarding ideal family size, 64 percent of women consider two children ideal, and 17 percent prefer three, indicating a general preference for smaller families. The study uses methods such as frequency tables, cross-tabulations, correlation analysis, and mean CEB calculations to examine fertility determinants. A strong and statistically significant negative correlation is found between educational attainment and fertility (r = -0.519, p < 0.000), suggesting that more educated women tend to have fewer children. The wealth index also shows a weak but significant negative correlation with fertility (r = -0.178, p < 0.000), indicating that women from wealthier households generally have lower fertility. Interestingly, CEB is lower among women who have never used contraceptives than among those who have (r = 0.279, p < 0.000), possibly because women with more children adopt contraception to limit further births. Additionally, older women tend to have higher CEB and are more likely to use contraceptives, reflecting their desire to stop childbearing after achieving their desired family size. These findings highlight the need for targeted education and reproductive health programs to manage fertility effectively.