Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger
Niger has the world's highest fertility rate, with about seven children per woman, significantly impacting maternal and child health. This study examines how fertility-related attitudes and social norms affect adolescent wives’ (AWs) fertility desires in rural Niger. Using data from 768 AWs (ag...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Global Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2025.2501174 |
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| author | Shweta Tomar Jay Silverman Hachimou Amani Kevin Iredell Kadidiatou Boubacar Moussa Abdoul-Moumouni Nouhou Jennifer Gayles Elizabeth Reed Susan Kiene Rebecka Lundgren Holly Baker |
| author_facet | Shweta Tomar Jay Silverman Hachimou Amani Kevin Iredell Kadidiatou Boubacar Moussa Abdoul-Moumouni Nouhou Jennifer Gayles Elizabeth Reed Susan Kiene Rebecka Lundgren Holly Baker |
| author_sort | Shweta Tomar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Niger has the world's highest fertility rate, with about seven children per woman, significantly impacting maternal and child health. This study examines how fertility-related attitudes and social norms affect adolescent wives’ (AWs) fertility desires in rural Niger. Using data from 768 AWs (ages 15-19), their husbands, and mothers-in-law, the study employed multilevel linear regression models to analyse associations between birth spacing attitudes, social norms, and AWs’ fertility desires. Results show a significant link between social norms and wives’ fertility desires. Wives with pro-natalist descriptive and injunctive norms and those whose husband has pro-natalist injunctive norms have higher fertility desire. Interestingly, individual attitudes weren't directly correlated with fertility desires, suggesting social norms predominate over personal attitudes. The study further highlights that village-level descriptive norms are significantly associated with fertility desires. It underscores the need for interventions that address social contexts within communities, not just individual-level activities. The research emphasises the complexity of these norms, considering multiple perspectives, and highlights husbands’ influence on wives’ fertility intentions. Recommendations include community-based programs engaging various stakeholders and policy initiatives promoting women's agency and rights. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7fa14559f17f4e9eb98b9a15d030b9e6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1744-1692 1744-1706 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-7fa14559f17f4e9eb98b9a15d030b9e62025-08-20T01:48:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Public Health1744-16921744-17062025-12-0120110.1080/17441692.2025.2501174Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural NigerShweta Tomar0Jay Silverman1Hachimou Amani2Kevin Iredell3Kadidiatou Boubacar Moussa4Abdoul-Moumouni Nouhou5Jennifer Gayles6Elizabeth Reed7Susan Kiene8Rebecka Lundgren9Holly Baker10Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USADivision of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USAGRADE Africa, Niamey, NigerHerbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USASave The Children, Niamey, NigerGRADE Africa, Niamey, NigerSave The Children, Washington DC, USASan Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USASan Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USAHerbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USAHerbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USANiger has the world's highest fertility rate, with about seven children per woman, significantly impacting maternal and child health. This study examines how fertility-related attitudes and social norms affect adolescent wives’ (AWs) fertility desires in rural Niger. Using data from 768 AWs (ages 15-19), their husbands, and mothers-in-law, the study employed multilevel linear regression models to analyse associations between birth spacing attitudes, social norms, and AWs’ fertility desires. Results show a significant link between social norms and wives’ fertility desires. Wives with pro-natalist descriptive and injunctive norms and those whose husband has pro-natalist injunctive norms have higher fertility desire. Interestingly, individual attitudes weren't directly correlated with fertility desires, suggesting social norms predominate over personal attitudes. The study further highlights that village-level descriptive norms are significantly associated with fertility desires. It underscores the need for interventions that address social contexts within communities, not just individual-level activities. The research emphasises the complexity of these norms, considering multiple perspectives, and highlights husbands’ influence on wives’ fertility intentions. Recommendations include community-based programs engaging various stakeholders and policy initiatives promoting women's agency and rights.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2025.2501174Social normsNigerfertility desirereproductive autonomyadolescent girlsSDG 3: good health and wellbeing |
| spellingShingle | Shweta Tomar Jay Silverman Hachimou Amani Kevin Iredell Kadidiatou Boubacar Moussa Abdoul-Moumouni Nouhou Jennifer Gayles Elizabeth Reed Susan Kiene Rebecka Lundgren Holly Baker Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger Global Public Health Social norms Niger fertility desire reproductive autonomy adolescent girls SDG 3: good health and wellbeing |
| title | Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger |
| title_full | Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger |
| title_fullStr | Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger |
| title_short | Association of fertility-related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives, husbands, and mothers-in-law with wives’ fertility desires in rural Niger |
| title_sort | association of fertility related attitudes and norms among adolescent wives husbands and mothers in law with wives fertility desires in rural niger |
| topic | Social norms Niger fertility desire reproductive autonomy adolescent girls SDG 3: good health and wellbeing |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2025.2501174 |
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