A comparison of prospective and retrospective fertility intentions in Northern Malawi

The measurement of unintended fertility in cross-sectional studies relies on questions about children already born and is therefore subject to ex post rationalization which is the propensity to reporting children as wanted when they were originally unwanted. Women may feel that to label a child as unwanted is to stigmatize him. In addition, an originally unwanted child is likely to loved one, hence eventually “wanted”.

Evidences on this issue in developing countries are limited. This study using annual information on couples’ fertility preferences collected both retrospectively and prospectively collected as part of a Demographic Surveilliance System in Northern Malawi will add new empirical evidence in this area. We assess the extent of ambivalence of fertility intention by comparing retrospective and prospective fertility intention of the child over three years.