Disentangling the effects of reproductive behaviours and fertility preferences on child growth in India

Abstract

We analysed population data from the 2015–16 National Family Health Survey to disentangle the intricate underlying effects of reproductive behaviours and fertility preferences on child growth. We expected birth interval length to be more strongly associated with stunting than sibsize and these effects to be moderated by whether the child was wanted or unintended (mistimed/unwanted). Regression analyses showed strong and equal effects of short birth interval and sibsize on stunting, when adjusted for potential confounders and unobserved between-mother heterogeneity. There were no statistical associations between stunting and mistiming/unwantedness of index children, suggesting the absence of discrimination against such children. We conclude that while fertility preferences have no effect, reproductive behaviours exert significant influence on child growth. Sibsize has been falling for many years in India but birth interval lengths have remained largely unchanged. The results underscore the need for strengthening uptake of reversible contraceptives to enable longer birth intervals.

Keywords:

• child growth
• stunting
• unintended
• mistimed
• unwanted
• preceding birth interval
• sibsize
• fertility preference
• reproductive behaviour
• India

Notes and acknowledgements

1 Md Juel Rana is based in the Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, and also at the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India. John Cleland is in the Population Studies Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. T.V. Sekher is at the Department of Population Policies and Programmes, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India. Sabu S. Padmadas is in the Department of Social Statistics and Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences and also the India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, both at the University of Southampton, UK.

2 Please direct all correspondence to Dr. Md Juel Rana, International Institute for Population Sciences, Govandi Station Road, Deonar, Mumbai–400088, Maharashtra, India; or by E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].

3 This work was undertaken with support from the Population Council through its project entitled ‘Policy Research and Advocacy for Strategic Investment in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in India’, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (Grant no. 16-109245-000-POP). The data used in this study are available in the public domain.