Factors influencing fertility preferences of currently married men in Kenya

Janet Mashara, Population Association of Kenya (PAK)

The specific objective: to establish the effects of socio-demographic factors on fertility preference; to establish the effect of socio-economic factors; and to establish the effects of socio-cultural factors on fertility preference of currently married men in Kenya. Data was obtained from sample size of 1,757 married men aged 15-54 years who were asked questions on various topics including fertility preference and more specifically their desire to have additional children during the 2008/9 KDHS. Descriptive analysis revealed that about 57 percent of currently married men in Kenya are likely to desire additional children. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, number of living children, education, region, occupation, type of marriage and number of living sons were significant factors associated with the desire for additional children at 0.001, 0.01 and 0.05 significance level. Recommendation: Education for men should be emphasized because education was discovered to have a highly significant effect on the fertility preference.