Cohabitation in sub-Saharan Africa: a regional analysis

Pedzisai Ndagurwa, University of the Witwatersrand
Mwiza Singini, University of the Witwatersrand
Ololade Baruwa, University of the Witwatersrand

Cohabitation has been an increasing feature of family transition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since the new millennium but little research has been devoted to examining its underlying factors. This study used weighted pooled Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from sixteen countries to examine recent trends, patterns and determinants of cohabitation in SSA. A quantitative design employing bivariate and multilevel mixed effects logistic regression techniques was used to analyse the data. Individual level variables were observed to be strong predictors of cohabitation in all four sub-regions while community level correlates were important in accounting for variations among sub-regions. Based on findings of the study, both economic and sociocultural factors have been driving the increase in cohabitation in SSA. Further research is needed as is consideration of relevant transformations in family law so that all forms of family configurations are legally regulated for the benefit of children and women.