Decision making, use of contraception and fertility in Bangladesh: a path analysis

Abstract

Draws on data from the 1989 Bangladesh Fertility Survey to explore whether or not socio‐demographic factors such as woman’s age, education, occupation, income and residence affect fertility because of different attitudes towards decision making and the use of contraception. Describes the methodology used and forms of data analysis – path modelling via LISREL. Analyses the findings – that as the woman’s age increases so does the number of children ever born, women who have not completed primary education have more children than women who have completed secondary or higher education, urban women have fewer children than rural women, and women with more education and a higher income have more autonomy in decision making, consequently are more likely to use contraception and have fewer children. Reports that when men make the decisions, families are larger and infers that there are policy implications in that finding. Concludes that the determining factors affecting fertility and use of contraception in Bangladesh are the woman’s level of education, residence in urban or rural areas, and the extent of inter‐spouse communication.