The determinants of effective fecundability based on the first birth interval

Area of Science:

• Reproductive health
• Demography
• Global health

Background:

• Fecundability, the biological capacity to conceive, is a key determinant of fertility.
• Understanding variations in fecundability is crucial for public health and demographic studies.
• Previous research has identified several socio-economic and demographic factors influencing fertility, but their direct impact on fecundability requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the determinants of fecundability across nine developing countries.
• To examine the relationship between socio-economic factors, marriage patterns, and fecundability.
• To assess the impact of cohort, education, and residence on fecundability.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of fecundability data from nine developing countries.
• Statistical modeling to assess the influence of age at marriage, education, and urban/rural residence.
• Cohort analysis to identify trends in fecundability over time.

Main Results:

• Significant international variations in fecundability were observed.
• Later age at marriage, higher female and male education, and urban residence were positively associated with higher fecundability.
• More recent birth cohorts demonstrated consistently higher fecundability.

Conclusions:

• Socio-economic and demographic factors directly influence fecundability, contrary to some assumptions in fertility models.
• The role of fecundability as a proximate determinant of fertility needs refinement in demographic research.
• Findings highlight the need for context-specific approaches to understanding reproductive health in developing countries.