title: Polygyny and reproductive behavior in sub-Saharan Africa: a contextual analysis.
abstract: In this paper I examine the effect of polygyny on aggregate reproductive behavior. I argue that within countries there exist different polygyny regimes, each exhibiting a unique reproductive pattern. Using the 1988/1989 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS1) data, I identify three distinct regimes: low-polygyny, mid-polygyny, and high-polygyny regimes. The results of the bivariate and multivariate analyses reveal strong differences in reproductive preferences and behaviors across polygyny regimes. High-polygyny regimes, for instance, maintain a value orientation that favors and encourages high reproductive performance. The force of this pronatalism operates equally for men and women; but whereas men in this regime attain their reproductive goals by marrying multiple wives, women attain theirs by maximizing their reproductive capabilities. This maximization occurs through early initiation of sexual/reproductive activity, universal marriage and minimal interruption of marriage, nonuse of contraception within a union, and a positive attitude toward high fertility.
authors.affiliation: Macro International, Inc., Calverton, MD 20705, USA. Ezeh@macroint.com
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ezeh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors