Spousal violence and unwanted fertility in Malawi: implication for high population growth

Ayotunde Titilayo, Obafemi Awolowo University
Martin E. Palamuleni, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus

Predictors of high fertility in Malawi has been of great concern. Relationship between spousal violence and unwanted fertility has not received much attention. The objective of this study is to establish the relationship between spousal violence and unwanted fertility among women in Malawi. A subset of 4,137 women who were selected for domestic violence module and who gave birth within the last five years were extracted from the 2010 MDHS. Bivariate and four models binary logistic regression for analysis. The prevalence rate of spousal violence and unwanted fertility among the study population are 31% and 46% respectively. Spousal violence was found to be a significant predictor of unwanted fertility in Malawi. The results further indicate that unwanted fertility is higher among women who experienced spousal violence(OR=0.765). The study recommends that gender equality should be promoted and violence against women should be discouraged to accelerate fertility transition in Malawi.