Abstract
BackgroundEvolutionary life history theory predicts that, in the absence of contraception, any enhancement of maternal condition can increase human fertility. Energetic trade-offs are likely to be resolved in favour of maximizing reproductive success rather than health or longevity. Here we find support for the hypothesis that development initiatives designed to improve maternal and child welfare may also incur costs associated with increased family sizes if they do not include a family planning component.Methods and FindingsDemographic and anthropometric data were collected in a rural Ethiopian community benefiting from a recent labour-saving development technology that reduces women's energetic expenditure ( n = 1,976 households). Using logistic hazards models and general linear modelling techniques, we found that whilst infant mortality has declined, the birth rate has increased, causing greater scarcity of resources within households. ConclusionsThis study is, to our knowledge, the first to demonstrate a link between a technological development intervention and an increase in both birth rate and childhood malnutrition. Women's nutritional status was not improved by the energy-saving technology, because energy was diverted into higher birth rates. We argue that the contribution of biological processes to increased birth rates in areas of the developing world without access to modern contraception has been overlooked. This highlights the continued need for development programmes to be multisectoral, including access to and promotion of contraception.
Highlights
Despite improving living conditions and reduced infant mortality, rural Africa has not experienced the rapid demographic transition to low birth rates that characterize populations in the developed world [1,2]
Women’s nutritional status was not improved by the energy-saving technology, because energy was diverted into higher birth rates
We argue that the contribution of biological processes to increased birth rates in areas of the developing world without access to modern contraception has been overlooked
Summary
Despite improving living conditions and reduced infant mortality, rural Africa has not experienced the rapid demographic transition to low birth rates that characterize populations in the developed world [1,2]. Development programmes in low-income countries, for example in Africa, often focus on the welfare of women and children This approach is desirable for humanitarian reasons, but there are held to be other benefits (for example to the economy), and it is widely believed that if child death rates can be reduced people will choose to have fewer children. The situation in Ethiopia provides an illustration; spiralling population growth and slow economic growth are the main factors fuelling this country’s repeated humanitarian crises
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