Sociology-Scholarly Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/handle/123456789/3466

Browse

Browsing Sociology-Scholarly Publications by Subject "Age at first birth"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Item
    Open Access
    Age at first birth and fertility differentials among women in Osun State, Nigeria
    (2012) Oyefara, J.L.
    This paper examines the nexus between age at first birth and fertility differentials among women in Osun State, Nigeria. The rationale for this central objective was based on the fact that a lucid explanation on the relationships that exist between various indicators of socioeconomic development and fertility level after controlling for the age at first birth is an important phenomenon in understanding developmental process at both individual and societal levels. Thus, basic knowledge about the intricacies and interrelationship between these variables is of direct relevance to planners and policymakers attempting to integrate population variables into development planning. To achieve the central objective of the paper, empirical quantitative data from Osun State were used. Findings of the study show that irrespective of socio-demographic characteristics of women (such as place of residence, current age, occupational status, educational level, marital status and form of marriage), women who had their first birth below age 20 years exhibit significant higher number of children ever born in comparison with women who had their first birth by age 20 years and above at P<0.01 most especially when the later were at similar categories to the former. Thus, age at first birth is a strong determinant, among others, responsible for relatively high fertility level in the State. Consequently, it is imperative for policymakers and development partners in the State to develop appropriate policies and programmes that will address and inhibit early age at first birth in order to control the high natural population growth rate of Osun State, Nigeria