Socio-demographic aspects of young people's reproductive behaviour in Malaŵi

Abstract

The population of Malawi has a youthful age structure, with almost half the population aged below 17 years. Malawi is characterised by early childbearing: young age at first intercourse, young age at first marriage and age at first birth. The Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) of 1992 and the Malawi Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Health Survey (MKAPH) of 1996 showed that half the women were sexually active by 16 years and were married by the age of 18. By the age of 19 almost 65 per cent of females had already started childbearing. In addition, the use of modern methods of contraception is low at all ages. Another major concern for Malawi is the high rate of HIV infection and AIDS-related mortality, with an HIV prevalence rate of seven per cent (National AIDS Control Programme, 1996). The prevalence rate for young women aged 15-24 years is almost four times that of males in the same age group. Young people experience problems in accessing reproductive health services as they face age discrimination, restricting their access to already scarce services. This study aims at identifying socio-demographic aspects of the reproductive behaviour of young people in Malawi, focussing on childbearing, contraceptive use and HIV/STI prevention behaviour.

The results show that although the Government of Malawi has policies and programmes to address early childbearing and high HIV among young people, they have not enhanced behavioural change. High levels of education are associated with lower risk of early initiation of sexual activity for females and higher odds of using contraception. The demand for contraception is proportional to the number of living children. Attending initiation ceremonies is associated with early sex, but its effect is dependent on the level of education (for females). Those who had gone through initiation are more likely to use contraceptives and have a high unmet need. Contraceptive use is higher among the single, although after the first birth married young women are more likely to use contraception.

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