Role of proximate determinants in recent and past fertility stalls in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The two fertility stalls that occurred in Bangladesh emerged as substantial barriers in controlling its burgeoning vast population. The first stall occurred during 1996–2000 in the mid-transition of fertility, while the second stall occurred during the recent period 2011–2014 in the late transition of fertility. This article explores the role of proximate determinants in those stalls by using the data of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys. Data have been analyzed using proximate determinants model and a descriptive analysis technique. Findings show that contraceptive use and induced abortion are the main drivers of fertility transition in Bangladesh. Both stalls in Bangladesh are found to be associated with a stall in induced abortion. In addition, declining postpartum infecundability plays a vital role in setting first stall. At the end of this stall, composition of contraceptive use is also found less efficient. While, declining fertility-inhibiting effect of marriage and a marginal increase in contraceptive use are the additional factors that play key roles in setting second stall. The mixture of contraceptive use shows a shift to a more efficient composition in the recent years. Change in the timing of birth does not show any consistent link with any of the fertility stalls.

Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges the useful suggestions from his PhD supervisors, Dr Bryndl Hohmann-Marriott and Dr Melanie Beres.

Conflicts of Interest

The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial entity or not-for-profit organization.