Patterns of fertility preferences and contraceptive behavior over time: an examination of change and continuities among the urban poor in Nairobi, Kenya

Donatien Beguy, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Blessing Mberu, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Jean-Christophe Fotso, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

This study seeks to investigate the association between fertility preferences and contraceptive use among 15-49 years old women living in Korogocho and Viwandani slums in Nairobi city. The impact of reproductive preferences on contraceptive behavior is of programmatic importance if it is evidenced that contraceptive use is a result of women’s fertility intentions. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where this question of the interrelationship between fertility preferences and subsequent contraceptive behavior is of paramount importance, very few studies have given appropriate attention to it. Longitudinal data which are most appropriate for exploring this type of relationship are scarce in SSA. We draw on longitudinal data collected under the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) component of the Urbanization, Poverty and Health Dynamics (UPHD) project that APHRC conducted between 2006 and 2010 in the two informal settlements. Women aged 25-34 who want to limit childbearing are more likely to use contraception than others.