Effects of Mortality on Contraceptive Use and Fertility Preference in Uganda

Uganda has a low contracepive prevalence of 30%, high total fertility rate of 6.2 children and high under five morality rates of 90 deaths per 1000 live births. Using the 2006 DHS dataset on a sample of 8531 women, we set out to examine the effects of under-five mortality on fertility preference and contraceptive use in Uganda. The data used herein was selected based on birth and death histories as well as on reproduction and contraception information. Studied variables included; whether women would want to have another child, had lost a child and whether they were using or intended to use contraceptives. Descriptive statistics of Resepondents' background characteristics were generated. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between child survival status with whether a woman would want to have another child and whether they were using or intend to use contraceptives. Findings present statistical significance between child survival and the independent variables which included; contraceptive use, fertility preference, education, religion and wealth status. Women who had lost a child had higher odds of not using contraceptives and were more likely to prefer having anmother child. The results present a high need to reduce mortality and improve access to health care to vulnerable populations.