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Demographic and social determinants of stalled fertility among women in Ghana: evidence from Ghana demographic and health surveys 1998–2014

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Abstract

Ghana was one of the first countries to be identified as experiencing a stall in fertility transition. The purpose of this study is to examine contextual demographic, social and proximate determinants of stalling fertility among women in Ghana. The study used data from the four rounds of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (1998–2014). The study found a stalled fertility level at 4 children per woman from 1998 to 2014. Women between the ages of 30–39 and 40–49 years, with primary education, dwelling in poor and middle-income households and women using contraception had a higher probability of experiencing stalls in their fertility levels. However, women with 1–4 children, with no formal education, currently and never married women, belonging to Christian, Islamic and traditional faith as well as sexually active and inactive women had a lower probability of experiencing stalling fertility. The determinants of stall in fertility transition can be attributed to demographic, social and proximate factors. These factors should be considered in achieving a continuous decline in fertility levels among women.

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Data availability

The datasets used for this study are openly available and can be accessed via https://dhsprogram.com/.

Abbreviations

AOR:

Adjusted odds ratio

CI:

Confidence interval

GDP:

Gross domestic product

GDHS:

Ghana demographic and health survey

GSS:

Ghana statistical service

PRB:

Population reference bureau

TFR:

Total fertility rate

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the staff of the Ghana Statistical Service for making available the data for this study.

Funding

This study did not receive any specific financial support from any agency in the public, private or nonprofit sector.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Health Research (IHR), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), PMB 31, Ho, Ghana

    Desmond Klu

  2. Economics Department, Ghana Statistical Service, Accra, Ghana

    Patrick Agyekum

Authors
  1. Desmond Klu
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  2. Patrick Agyekum
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Contributions

DK: conceptualised, designed the study, and obtained the data. DK: analysed and interpreted the data. The entire manuscript was drafted by DK. It was critically reviewed and revised by PA. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Desmond Klu.

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Conflict of interest

None declared.

Ethical approval

The Informed Consent Form (ICF) Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the protocol for the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2014 GDHS. We obtained permission from the ICF for the use of the datasets, and the terms of use were strictly adhered to. Informed consent was obtained from respondents before interviews were conducted. Again, all methods used were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and procedures.

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Klu, D., Agyekum, P. Demographic and social determinants of stalled fertility among women in Ghana: evidence from Ghana demographic and health surveys 1998–2014. SN Soc Sci 3, 112 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00702-x

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