Demography Reproduction Health

"Determinants of Desired Ideal Number of Children in Central Java”

Determinan Jumlah Anak Ideal di Provinsi Jawa Tengah

desired number of children women of childbearing age fertility preference Central Java

Authors

July 6, 2024

Downloads

Uncontrolled population growth poses a major challenge for communities and governments, especially in healthcare. Indonesia, as the world's fourth most populous countries, faces this issue, with Central Java, one of the most populous province having a stagnant total fertility rate. This research investigates the determinants of desired children among Central Java's women aged 15-49, using 2022 Family Data Update. Multivariate logistic regression reveals significant association with factors like age at first marriage, education, occupation, and health insurance participation. This study observed that women of childbearing age who married at 21 or older were less likely to desire more than two children compared to those who married earlier (AOR=0.791; 95% CI: 0.786; 0.796). Employed women were also less inclined to desire more than two children than unemployed women (AOR=0.798; 95% CI: 0.793; 0.803). Additionally, women with health insurance subscriptions were more likely to desire more than two children (AOR=1.129; 95% CI: 1.121; 1.137). These findings highlight the social and health aspect of fertility preferences in Indonesia. Promoting women's education and employment, enhancing adolescent reproductive health programs, and aligning healthcare and family planning policies are essential strategies to reshape fertility preferences among women of childbearing age in Indonesia.