Determinants of age at first birth in Namibia

Thendo T. Netshivhera, University of the Witwatersrand
Chantal Munthree, Statistics South Africa

Background: The age at which a woman gives birth to a first child has significant impact on the well-being and development of both the mother and child. (Zajonc, 1976). The objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with age at first birth. Methods: Namibia’s National Demographic and Health Survey (2013) was used with women aged between 15-64. Univariate, Bivariate and multivariate analysis (Multinomial logistic regression) were used to examine explanatory variables associated with age at first birth. Explanatory variables considered relevant were education, type of residence, ethnicity, wealth index, age at first sex and contraceptive use. Results: The study revealed that Namibian women with higher education are more likely to have a first birth at higher ages when compared to women with no education. Policies and programmes that promote education of women would improve women’s well-being and also lower their vulnerability to an early birth.