Contextual determinants of family dissolution in sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT

The question of family dissolution has been widely debated by demographers, economists and health experts in developed countries. However, there appears to be a dearth of research on the contextual determinants of family dissolution in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the variations that exist within regions. This article is stimulated by the recognition that family dissolution is associated with negative consequences both for adults and for children. Using pooled data from the recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 16 SSA countries with a weighted sample of 51 474 (Central Africa), 61 069 (East Africa), 42 247 (Southern Africa) and 83 187 (West Africa) women, the article examines the contextual determinants of family dissolution in SSA. Dissolution rates ranged from 12% in East Africa to 20% in Central Africa. Socio-economic variables were strong predictors of dissolution in all of the regions although direction of association differed. This article adds to the body of knowledge of family dissolution in SSA.

KEYWORDS:

• Family
• dissolution
• contextual
• socio-economic
• sub-Saharan Africa

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the ICF Macro International and other implementing partners for granting access to the DHS data. We also acknowledge Dr Joshua Akinyemi for help on methodological aspects of the paper. This research was supported by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). CARTA is jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center and the University of the Witwatersrand and funded by the Wellcome Trust (UK) (Grant no. 087547/Z/08/Z), the Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant no. B8606.R02), and Sida (Grant no. 4100029). The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Oluwaseyi Dolapo Somefun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3842-2685