Focusing on Angolan Youth: Understanding Fertility Preferences and Modern Contraceptive Use to Accelerate the Demographic Transition

Natalie Morris, University of California, Berkeley
Karen Weidert, University of California, Berkeley
Ndola Prata , University of California, Berkeley

Despite the importance of prioritizing adolescent fertility in accelerating a demographic transition, there is little knowledge on fertility practices and preferences of Angolan youth. We examined associations between fertility indicators (number of births, living children, and desire for children) and current modern method use among of sexually active Angolans aged 15-24 years. Data were obtained from the Angola 2015-2016 Demographic and Health Survey. Among 5,060 eligible respondents, a vast majority (86.98%) were not using any method. Condoms were the preferred method among those using a modern contraceptive. Regression results from adjusted generalized linear models demonstrated that desire for children was the only fertility indicator significantly associated with current use of a modern method (RR: 1.36; p = 0.034). Family planning programs must provide correct information and a greater variety of contraceptives to youth in order for Angola to achieve a demographic dividend.

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 Presented in Session 2. Children & Youth