Uncontrolled Fertility'S Effect On Household Income In Rural Nigeria

Abstract

The paper is focused on the impact of uncontrolled fertility on Household Poverty in Rural Benue State. The major objectives of the study were focused on the number of children, income, factors affecting fertility control and the effects of uncontrolled fertility on household income in Benue State. The study adopts cross-sectional research design. Data was collected from 395 respondents using structured interview through cluster and simple random sampling. Frequencies and percentages were used to classify the number of children and income of respondents while chi-square was used to test the formulated hypothesis. Findings of the study revealed that most of the families have between 5-6 children while a few number of households have 1-2 children. It was also found that the level of poverty is high as a small number of the households earned an income of above 2000,000 per annum. The study revealed that most of the rural populace who have ever controlled their fertility earned a better income. Social norms and access to contraceptives were identified as the major factors affecting fertility control in rural Benue State. The study hereby concluded that uncontrolled fertility has effects on household income. The study recommends among others that contraceptives should be made more accessible to the rural areas of Benue State by the government, nongovernmental organisations and individuals and the government should focus on sound rural agricultural policies that will add value to agricultural products in rural areas of Benue State.

Introduction

Fertility Control is vital in slowing unsustainable population growth especially in rural areas where the standard of living and the overall wellbeing of the people is below expectation. Fertility control reduces the unnecessary burden that is placed on the economic and natural resources such as family income, land, fresh water and forest. Therefore, taking into account the earlier fears of the consequences of uncontrolled fertility in developing countries, so many efforts were made at the international level to control human population through family planning. Prominent was the Cairo declaration that every woman has the right to decide freely the spacing of children. It is unfortunate that findings by the many international agencies has shown that about 225 million women who want to avoid pregnancy were not using safe and effective family planning methods(WHO 2015).

Despite the fact that controlled fertility has the potential to reduce gender inequality, empower women and reduces poverty, it is a major concern that in male dominated societies women do not have the opportunity to make decisions on their fertility choices. For instance, studies in most developing countries have shown that, women’s participation and active involvement in the labour force has increased as their fertility decreases (Cleland, 2006; UNFPA, 2013; World Bank 2016). To this respect, the NDHS (2013) report had warned that if fertility is not controlled it will result into close to 1.6 million unwanted children and will invariably lead to maternal death of 40 percent. It is in the light of the forgoing that the study seeks to examine the impact of uncontrolled fertility on household income in rural Benue State.

Statement of Research Problem

Fertility control allows couple to have the right to decide the spacing and the number of children, yet records have shown that most of the births that occur in developing countries are unplanned. For instance, recent data from Population Reference Bureau (PRB, 2016) shows that the top 10 fertility rates in the world are in sub-Saharan African countries, with nearly all above six children per woman. It is alarming that after several years of interventions by international organisations, national governments and donor agencies to ensure fertility control in the developing countries, data has shown that the total fertility rate in Nigeria (TFR) had slightly dropped from 6.4 in 1960 to 5.5 in 2016 (World Bank, 2016). It is disturbing that recent reports indicated that Nigeria has the highest number of poor people in the world. For instance, as at May 2018, Nigeria had about 87 million people in extreme poverty with at least six people getting into extreme poverty every minute (Brookings Institution, 2018). According to the United Nations Global Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index 2015, Benue State had a poverty rate of 59.2%. It is worrisome that the state had Contraceptive Prevalence Rate only 15% (CPR) in 2017 (Benue State Ministry of Health; BSMH, 2018).

It is a matter of concern that if fertility control is not given the deserved attention in the poor regions of the world like Nigeria, many families will continue live on little income that can hardly sustain their basic needs of life. The implication is that poverty, illiteracy and social inequality will continue to rise. For Instance, the World Bank (2013) stated that countries with high fertility rates lag behind others in development indicators. It is as a result of the high fertility rate after many years of fertility control programmes, researches and interventions, and the eminent danger posed by uncontrolled fertility that the study seeks to examine the impact of uncontrolled fertility on household income in rural Benue State.

Research Questions

The research questions for the study are as follows:

1. What is the number of children in the selected households in rural Benue State?
2. What is the annual income of the selected households in rural Benue State?
3. What is the effects uncontrolled fertility on household income in rural Benue State?
4. What are the factors affecting fertility control in rural Benue State?

Research Objectives

The study is based on the following objectives

1. To determine the number of children in the selected households in rural Benue State.
2. To determine the annual income of the selected households in rural Benue State.
3. Assess the effects uncontrolled fertility on household income in rural Benue State.
4. To examine the factors affecting fertility control in rural Benue State.

Literature Review

Fertility control has been an issue of concern in developing countries over the years. Several resaeches have confirmed that much progress have not been achieved to this regards. For Instance, Sharan, Ahmed, May, and Soucat (2009) reported Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest average fertility rate in the world in 2009 with a total fertility rate (TFR), of 5.1 more than twice that in South Asia (2.8) or Latin America and the Caribbean (2.2). Sharan et al (2009) further revealed that the average use of modern family planning methods was (22 percent) less than half that of South Asia (53 percent) and less than a third that of East Asia (77 percent). Sharan et al (2009) predicted that the population in the region would continue to increase at a faster rate (2.3 percent) than in other regions, including both Asia and Latin America (1.1 percent each). It is alarming that after so many years from 2009, the recent data from Population Reference Bureau (PRB, 2016) shows that the top 10 fertility rates in the world are in sub-Saharan African countries, with nearly all above six children per woman.

Recently, there has been a remarkable increase in the use of family planning all over the world, yet a significant number of married women are not using any method of family planning in Africa. Available data has indicated that the lowest rates of family planning use in the world are found in the two sub-regions of Africa. These was confirmed by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB, 2013) that 63% of all married women within the ages of 15-49 worldwide used all methods of family planning but only 33% in Africa, 26% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 17.5% in Nigeria.

Going by the available data, Nigeria as the most populous black nation on earth has a very low use of family planning. This was confirmed by the National Population Commission (NPC, 2013) that only 13 percent of married women were using a method of family planning, out of which 8 percent were using a modern method. The most common modern methods were the pill, injectables, and the male condom which accounts for only 2 percent (NPC, 2013). In this regard, the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2013) had warned that failure to address the family planning needs of many Nigerian women will result to almost 1.6 unintended children and will invariably lead to maternal death of 40%. This is based on the fact that NDHS of 2003, 2008 and 2013 were held between year 2000-2013 with the total fertility rate for the three years was 5.5 births per woman in 2013, 5.7 births per woman in 2003 and 2008. Yet a shocking revelation by USAID (2015) shows that less than one out of every five married women in Nigeria used family planning. Recent records from PRB (2016) still indicate that the use of family planning was as low as 15% in Nigeria. This shows a little improvement on fertility control which by implication means family planning has not been given the necessary attention it deserves,

In many countries, access to family planning methods was initially restricted to health facilities, under strict control of medical practitioners, following outdated eligibility criteria and other unnecessary constraints such as written consent of husband; proof of marital status, parity, or age; unwillingness to dispense more than one or two pill cycles; excessive revisit schedules; and insistence that only menstruating women be allowed to start contraception (Cleland et al, 2006). The involvement of private medical practitioners in family-planning services varies widely; it tends to be low in Asia, with the exception of Indonesia, where a deliberate shift to private sector provision has taken place as a cost-containment measure (Cleland et al, 2006). In Latin America, private-sector involvement is higher; typically, about 30% of people using a medical facility for their current contraceptive method cite a private-sector facility while the corresponding figures in sub-Saharan Africa are variable, being more than 50% in Uganda (an indication of poor government services), high also in Kenya (40%) because of deteriorating government services, but low (less than 20%) in countries with stronger government programmes, such as Namibia and South Africa (Cleland et al, 2006). Although the private sector caters mainly for the needs of urban affluent couples, to encourage their role makes good sense because choice is expanded and costs to the government are reduced.

According to WHO (2015), The World Bank (2015), poor women in remote areas are the least likely to receive adequate health care especially for regions with low numbers of skilled health workers, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. While levels of antenatal care have increased in many parts of the world during the past decade, only 51% of women in low-income countries benefit from skilled care during childbirth. This means that millions of births are not assisted by a midwife, a doctor or a trained nurse. The World Bank (2015) added that virtually all women in high-income countries, have at least four antenatal care visits, are attended by a skilled health worker during childbirth and receive postpartum care. In low-income countries, only 40% of all pregnant women have the recommended antenatal care visits. Other factors that prevent women from receiving or seeking care during pregnancy and childbirth are: poverty, distance, lack of information, inadequate services, and cultural practices (The World Bank, 2015).

Methodology

The methodology includes research design, the research setting, population of the study/sample size and sampling procedure. It also includes method of data collection and the technique of data analysis.

Research Design/Research Setting

The study adopts cross-sectional research design. The study area is Benue State of Nigeria. The state is located in the North-central Nigeria. It occupies a land mass of 34,059 square kilometers with a population of 4,223,641 people (NPC 2013). Benue State has 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely Ado, Agatu, Apa, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Makurdi, Obi and Ogbadibo. Others include Ohimini, Oju, Okpokwu, Otukpo, Tarka, Ukum, Ushongo and Vandeikya (Benue State of Nigeria, 2016). Benue State have 801, 833 households (NPC, 2010). Benue State lies on latitude 7° 19’ 59 N longitude 8° 45’ 0 E (Google, 2016).

Population of Study/Sample Size

The population of study comprises of selected households with properly married men and women residing in rural areas of Benue State who were within the age bracket of 15-49 years. The population was restricted to people who were married with at least a child.

The 2006 population and housing census put the total number of households in Benue State to 801, 833 (NPC, 2010). Since the population of Benue State is predominantly rural the above stated number of households was used to determine the sample size for the study. Since the population is known, Taro Yamane’s (1967) formula was used to determine the sample size using a significance level of 0.05.

Sampling Technique

The study adopts multistage sampling techniques which include cluster sampling and simple random sampling. Cluster sampling technique was used to divide Benue State into three geopolitical districts which are Benue North East (Zone ‘A’), Benue North West (Zone 'B'), and Benue South (Zone ‘C’) geo-political zones. Simple random sampling was used to select two Local Governments Areas in each geopolitical zone of the state, making up to six (6) in all. Random sampling was also used to select two council wards (settlements) in each of the six Local Government Areas for data collection.

The local governments areas selected through this process include; Konshisha and Ukum in Benue North East, Guma and Buruku in Benue North West, and Obi and Ado in Benue South. Random sampling was finally used to select two council wards in each of the six Local Government Areas selected and the headquarters of these council wards were used for data collection. The settlements in Benue North east were Awajir in Iwarnyam Council Ward and Gbogbo in Mbavaar Council Ward in Konshisha LGA; Gbagir in Tyuluv Council Ward and Kyado in Mbaterem Council Ward in Ukum LGA. In Benue North west were Agwabi in Binev Council Ward and Ugbema in Mbakura Council Ward in Buruku LGA, and Abinsi in Abinsi Council Ward, Ukpiam in Mbabai Council Ward in Guma LGA. In Benue South were Adum East in Obeko Council Ward and Itogo in Itogo Council Ward in Obi LGA and, Apa-Agila in Apa-Agila Council Ward and Utonkon in Ukonyon council ward in Ado LGA. Respondents were selected within the households of these settlements.

Method of Data Collection

Data was collected through primary sources using structured interview. These interview questions were structured in both close ended and open ended such that they were useful for both qualitative and quantitative information on the research. Questions were asked on number of children house hold and income. Questions were also asked on uncontrolled fertility and household income.

Techniques of Data Analysis

Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Data were placed at univariate and bivariate levels. The number of children in a household, household income and factors affecting fertility control, were placed on univariate analysis while the effects of fertility control on household income was placed on bivariate tool an cross tabulated. Hypothesis of the study was tested using Chi-square biveriate analytical tool while phi was used to test the strength of the association. Views of respondents were also discussed effectively.

Results

Results are presented based on the findings of the study. The results presented include the number of children in a household, household income, factors affecting fertility control and the effects of fertility control on household income. The result also include hypothesis of the study.

The number of children in the selected households show that most of the respondents 199 (50.4%) have between 5-6 children followed by respondents with 3-4 children with 141(35.7 %) while a few number of respondents 12(3.0%) have between 7-8 children and above, followed by respondents with 1-2 children with 43 (10.9%).

The annual household income of respondents show that most of the respondents 166 (42.0%) earn between1000-100,000 naira per annum, closely followed by 165 (41.8%) respondents who earned between101,000-200,000. The data also shows that only 64 (16.2%) earned from 201, 000 naira and above.

The data presented above, indicate that fewer number of the respondents 173 (43.8%) have never controlled their fertility while majority 222 (56.2%) of respondents indicate that they have controlled their fertility. The data also show that out of the 173 respondents that have controlled their fertility, 90 (40.5%) said they earn an annual income of 1,000-100,000 while 93(41.9%) said they had an annual income of 101, 000-200,000. While only 39(17.6%) earned an income of 201,000-300,000 above. On the other hand out of the 173 respondents who indicates that they have never controlled their fertility, 76(43.9%) pointed out that they have earned an income of 1,000-100,000 while 72(41.6%)indicated that they had an income of 101, 000-200,000. The data also show that few 25(14.5%) of the respondents earned the income of 201,000-300,000 above.

The factors affecting fertility control in rural Benue State show that majority 155(39.2%) see social norms as the major factor. This is followed by 115(29.1%) who attributed access to contraceptives. Data also show that 67(17.0%) attributed to religious beliefs, 31(7.8%) pointed at economic factors while only 27 (6.9%) gave other factors Based on the information gathered from respondents, social norms affecting fertility control was influenced by factors such as spouse (husband) opposition and child preference.

Based on the data, the value of chi square is 0.851 while the p- value of 0.654, using a significance level of 0.05 and a degree of freedom of 1. Since the p-value of 0.654, is greater or larger than the alpha or significance level of 0.05, the null hypothesis which state that ‘uncontrolled fertility has no significant effect on family income in rural Benue State’ has been rejected and the alternative which states that ‘uncontrolled fertility has significant effect on family income in rural Benue State is hereby upheld. The phi coefficient value of 0.046 indicates a moderate positive association between uncontrolled fertility has significant effect on family income in rural Benue State.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of the study, It is clear that most of the families have between 5-6 children while a lower number of households have few children. Most of the people living in rural Benue state earned a very low income as only a few households above 2000, 000 naira and above per annum. it is pertinent to note that most of the people in rural areas of Benue State who have ever controlled their fertility earned a better income. Social norms and access to contraceptives have been identified as the major factor affecting fertility control in rural Benue state. The study hereby concluded that uncontrolled fertility is associated with low household income and vice versa.

Recommendations

1. Contraceptives should be made more accessible to the rural areas of Benue state by the government, nongovernmental organisations and individuals in order to improve the means to fertility control by intending families.
2. There should be an enlightenment campaign by concern authorities to ensure that individuals and families understand the implication of uncontrolled fertility on family income and their general wellbeing.
3. Social norms such as gender based barrier should be discouraging order to make women to have on reproductive choices. 
4. Government should focus on sound rural agricultural policies that will add value to agricultural products in rural areas as well as increase the income of the rural people who mostly depends on farming.
5. Credit and loan should be made available to the rural people to start up small scale businesses so as to reduce the high dependence on agricultural products which are only seasonal in rural areas of Benue State.

References

1. Cleland, J., Bernstein, S., Ezeh, A.,Faundes, A., Glasier, A. &lnnis, J. (2006). Family planning: The unfinished agenda. Sexual and Reproductive Health 3.Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization retrieved December 15 2016 atwww.vvho.int/reproductive-health.
2. National Population Commission (2013) Nigeria over 167 million population: Implications and challenges atwww.population.gov.ng/index.php/84-news/latest/
3. Population Reference Bureau, (2013). Family planning worldwide: 2013 data sheet. Washington, DC: PRB; 2013.
4. Sharan, M., Ahmed, S., May, J., & Soucat, A. (2009). Family planning trends in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress, prospects, and lessons learned. Retrieved December 20, 2015 at www.siteresources.worldbank.org/AFRlCAEXT/Resources.
5. UNFPA, (2013). New study shows benefits of family planning to the well-being of women, families and economies. 21 March 2013 at http://www.unfpa.org/news/new-study-shows-benefits-family-planning-well-being-women-families-and economies
6. USAID (2015). Ensuring access to family planning in Nigeria. Cross River State ensures distribution of materials through local budget March, 2015.
7. World Bank (2016). Fertility Rate, (Births per woman). Retrieved 10th October, 2016 at http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.lN
8. World Health Organization (2015). Maternal mortality Fact sheet N°348. Retrieved September 5th 2016 at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs348/en/