Fertility, family size preferences and future fertility prospects of men in the western area of Sierra Leone
Campbell, E.K.
Journal of Biosocial Science 26(2): 273-277
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 8014183 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932000021301Document Number: 376588
Between December, 1986, and February, 1987, interviews were conducted among 3006 ever married men and 539 currently married women living in the western area of Sierra Leone to determine current fertility and possibility of future fertility of men. The researchers included the women to check on consistency using interspouse responses. The men's ideal family size was greater than desired family size (5.6 children vs. 4.4 children). Except for men with secondary education, the desired family size was always 1 child more than the expected completed family size. The expected mean completed family size was lower than desired family size (4 children vs. 4.4 children; p .001). The men fathered a mean of 3.4 children. Men had significantly more children than did women (3.4 vs. 2.9; p .001). 38.2% did not want any more children, and 74.9% of them had at least reached their desired family size. 25.4% of men who wanted no more children were using contraceptives, presumedly to stop reproduction. The fact that about 30% of all men had a higher desired family size than actual family size suggested that they stopped reproduction earlier than planned due to a rationalization effect. 12.2% of the men in Greater Freetown and 13.3% of those in the western rural area were likely to complete their families before they reached their desired family size. Desired family size had a significant effect on future fertility behavior, accounting for 15% of the variation in Greater Freetown and for 12.3% in the western rural area. These findings suggest that fertility in western Sierra Leone will likely continue to decline.