Determinants of the Age of Motherhood for Women in Nepal and Analysis of Data from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016: Implications for Policies and Programmes

Abstract

This article draws on the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data of 2016 to explore the determinants of the age of motherhood for women in Nepal. It explores the association between the age of motherhood in Nepal (dependent variable) and conditions in a mother’s life, including her education, employment status, education of her husband, religion, age of the household head, gender of the household head, wealth index of the household, ownership of a bank account, decision-making around healthcare and region of residence (independent variables). Two models were tested using multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that improving the education of the parents and facilitating access to bank accounts can help increase the age of motherhood for women in Nepal. The findings inform policy for improving the reproductive health of women in the country.