Cross-National Variation in Knowledge of Ovulation Timing in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the determinants and pattern of knowledge of ovulation timing among women in 29 countries using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2008 and 2017 in sub-Saharan Africa. The pooled sample size was 425,855 women ages 15–49 years (mean 27 ± 9.6). Knowledge of ovulation timing was disproportionally low and varied by socioeconomic status and demographic characteristics of the women in each country. Multivariate logistic regression showed that respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics and unwanted pregnancy were significantly associated with correct knowledge of ovulation. Planning strategies that can improve knowledge of ovulation timing across the sociodemographic spectrum toward reducing the high fertility rate in Africa should be targeted at young women.

Keywords:

• Knowledge of ovulation
• sociodemographic characteristics
• unplanned pregnancy
• Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).