Fertility Preferences and Outcomes among Female International Return-Migrants in Benin-City, Nigeria

The study employed descriptive survey research design using both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. While quantitative data were collected from 760 respondents, seven FGDs and 15 IDIs were conducted to complement questionnaire data. Fertility preferences and outcomes were positively correlated (r =0.544, P<.001) regardless of the social milieu. A tendency for reversal to dominant fertility preference at place of origin on return was associated with high premium placed on children, stigma ascribed to few children and infertility and male-child preference. Policy and national programmes that seek reduction in fertility and its concomitant effects should target the generality of the people given that fertility preferences and outcomes were not significantly different between migrants and non-migrants. Without a deliberate intervention, family size preference among women will remain high as a reflection of pronatalism and patriarchal ethos that pervade Benin City.