Do fertility intentions predict subsequent behavior? Evidence from Peninsular Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Assessing the predictive accuracy of stated fertility intentions is crucial for understanding reproductive behavior.
• Previous research has explored the link between desired family size and actual fertility outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the accuracy of reported desired family size in predicting subsequent reproductive behavior.
• To evaluate the utility of fertility intentions in family planning program strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing data from the 1984 Malaysian Population and Family Survey.
• Matching survey data with birth registration records from 1985-1987.
• Analyzing the correlation between stated fertility intentions and actual fertility behavior.

Main Results:

• Stated fertility intentions were found to be a strong predictor of subsequent fertility behavior.
• Women's decisions regarding having another child closely aligned with their stated desires.
• A significant correlation exists between desired family size and actual family size.

Conclusions:

• Fertility intention is a reliable indicator of future reproductive actions.
• Family planning programs can improve effectiveness by incorporating fertility intention assessments.
• Understanding and addressing fertility intentions is key to successful population and family planning initiatives.