Is Fertility Preference Related to Perception of the Risk of Child Mortality, Changes in Landholding, and Type of Family? A Comparative Study on Populations Vulnerable and not Vulnerable to Extreme Weather Events in Bangladesh

Abstract:This study addresses how perception of risk of child mortality, land ownership and household type influence fertility preferences. The study focuses on four distinct villages: two vulnerable to cyclones and floods and two not usually subject to the impacts of extreme weather events (EWEs). The study uses a mixed-methods approach in collecting relevant information from 759 randomly selected ever-married women at reproductive age who had at least one child and were living with their husband during the field survey. The descriptive findings demonstrate that fertility preferences vary regarding perceived risk of child death, land ownership and household type, and that the influences of these factors vary for areas vulnerable to EWEs and not vulnerable to EWEs. Binary logistic regression analysis reveals that perceived risk of child death from EWEs and land ownership are the significant covariates in areas vulnerable to EWEs. In contrast, experience with child death, land ownership and household type are the most influential covariates explaining variation in fertility preferences in the areas not vulnerable to EWEs. The findings of the study can inform policy recommendations in terms of effective disaster management programs and family planning initiatives during climate-related events.