Socio-demographic factors associated with delayed childbearing in Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: Delayed childbearing is an emerging public health issue in developing countries compared with more developed countries, where it is already a major clinical and public health concern. Previous studies have mostly focused on either the health risks associated with delayed childbearing or the reasons for it with little done around the socio-demographic factors associated with it in developing countries. The objective of the study was to examine associated socio-demographic factors of delayed childbearing in Nigeria. RESULTS: The study used secondary data pooled from 2003 to 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys. The outcome variable was delayed childbearing. The explanatory variables are selected individual socio-demographic characteristics and community characteristics. A weighted sample size of 20,550 women was analysed. Results showed a prevalence of 8.0% delayed childbearing in Nigeria. Socio-demographic factors such as higher maternal education, age at first marriage of 25 years or older, modern contraceptive use, and remarriage status were significantly associated with delayed childbearing. Significant associations were also observed with high community literacy level and high proportion of women who ever used modern contraceptive in the community.