Sex preference and third birth intervals in a traditional Indian society
Nath, D.C.; Land, K.C.
Journal of Biosocial Science 26(3): 377-388
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 7929485 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932000021453Document Number: 291601
Hazard regression techniques were used to examine the impact of socioeconomic and behavioral factors on third birth intervals among scheduled caste couples who did not practice family planning to space and limit births in villages in Karimganj district of Southern Assam, India. Life table techniques were used to estimate median birth intervals. Data were obtained from a retrospective study of the effects of socioeconomic factors on fertility among a scheduled caste population in the rural areas of Karimganj District, Assam, during 1988-89. Independent variables are marriage age (over or under 15 years), maternal age at the birth of the third child (under 25, 25-30, and 30-35 years), length of the first and second birth intervals (under 48, 48-68, and over 68 months), mother's education and income per capita (over or under Rs. 60), subcaste, gender and survival status of the first two births. Analysis of potential interaction of covariates revealed no statistically significant relationships. The median third birth interval was just under three years and ranged from 32.3 to 40.9 months. The third birth interval increased with age of marriage, length of the two preceding birth intervals, and family income. A shorter third birth interval followed two surviving female children or only one surviving child of either sex. The generalized Wilcoxon test confirmed statistically significant different survival functions among subgroups. The proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that couples with one male and one female surviving child were only slightly more likely to have a long third birth interval than couples with two surviving male children; differences do not reach statistical significance. A greater likelihood of a short third birth interval occurred among those with only one surviving child of either sex or two female surviving children. The hazard model with all social and biological factors showed statistically insignificant effects and a positive relationship between surviving male and female children. Risk after two surviving males was 26% lower than after two surviving girls. A 29% higher risk of a third birth occurred among females married under 15 years of age. Shorter third birth intervals occurred among those with shorter preceding birth intervals. A lower risk of a third birth occurred among high income groups.