Grandmultiparity: The Reasons Women Give for High Parity in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract:Background: The Total Fertility Rates have declined below the replacement rates globally and in the industrialized countries. The rates are still high in Nigeria and most other poorer countries. Too much childbirth is associated with increased adverse obstetric outcomes and socioeconomic implications. There has been profuse literature on high parity but limited data on the reasons for high parity. We set out to explore the reasons the women have for high parity in Nigeria. Aim: To investigate the reasons women have for high parity in order to improve reproductive health services. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study on 288 grandmultiparas (para≥5) in South-south Nigeria between 2012 and 2016. EPI INFO software was used for analysis with statistical significance set at P<.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 35.3±4.2 years. About 85% and 12% were in first marriage and remarried relationship respectively. The mean parity was 5.95±1.3 and ranged 5-11births. Respondents leading reasons for high parity were mistake (unplanned) 30.9%, desire for specific gender 22% (male child 15.6%) and personal desire for more children 15.3%. Over 90% was aware of contraception, only 29.2% ever used any method. The younger (OR=4.9, P=0.02), less educated (OR=0.39, P=0.01) and employed (OR=0.23, P=0.02) and (OR=6.9, P= 0.04) respondents significantly cited spouse desire, desire of male child, child loss and contraception failure for high parity respectively. Conclusion: Mistake, desire for male child and large family were the leading reasons women gave for high parity. Maternal age, education and employment significantly influenced the reasons for high parity. There was high contraceptive awareness but poor utilization among the respondents; a huge unmet need of contraception in this population.

Age at menopause and the correlates of natural menopause among urban and rural women in the southern Nigeria

“…In addition, the more educated and therefore higher social class in our setting are more likely to have lower parity. 24 However, higher body mass index and the wider use of hormonal contraception may attenuate this effect and increase the age at menopause observed in industrialized populations. Conditions that negatively influence or suppress ovulation like prolonged use of hormonal contraception, frequent pregnancies or high parity, lactation and obesity will to varying degrees be expected to delay menopause.…”

Multilevel analysis of grand multiparity: Trend and its determinants in the Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design from demographic and health survey 2000–2016

“…According to studies conducted in some developing countries, grand multipara women have a higher number of children than women in developed countries. Indeed, many factors contribute to grand multiparity, but some published literature identified the factors for grand multiparity in low and lower middle-income countries 1 14–16. Still, grand multiparity has not been well addressed, as there is a dearth of evidence on a larger scale.…”