Spousal agreement on reproductive preferences in Sub-Saharan Africa

The analysis uses matched couples" data from 14 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) carried out between 1999 and 2004. Additionally, pooled data from the 14 countries are used to explore the aggregate effect of different levels of polygyny (high and low) on spousal agreement on reproductive preferences. The study also looks at the aggregate effect of high and low levels of polygyny on spousal agreement on fertility preferences and ideal number of children. The findings from the multivariate analysis indicates that, regardless of level of polygyny, the most important factors influencing the likelihood that both partners want another child are wife"s education, wife"s age, number of living children, and household wealth status. However, in countries with high levels of polygyny, type of marriage, difference in spouses" education, and infecundity can have a significant negative impact on agreement to have another child. (Author abstract)