Browsing by Author "Amwaama, Dortea"

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    An empirical analysis of the effects of fertility on maternal health status in Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2022) Amwaama, Dortea
    The study examines the effect of fertility on maternal health status in Namibia. Cross-section data from the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey for 2013 was used. Firstly the study estimated the Zero-Inflated Poisson (ZIP) model to analyze the effect of socio-economic factors on fertility. Secondly, the Linear Probability Model (LPM) was employed to examine the effect of fertility on maternal health status. To account for possible endogeneity in the fertility variable in the maternal health status model, the Instrumental variable (2SLS) method was used. The use of contraceptive was used as an instrumental variable for fertility. Moreover, the study made use of Body Mass Index and the probability of a mother being underweight as proxies for maternal health status. The study findings shows that age of the mother, mother’s marital status, household size and proportion of contraceptive use to positively associate with fertility. On the other hand, urban residence, education and listening to the radio all proved to have a negative relationship with fertility. In the maternal health status model the study results shows that high fertility increases the women’s body mass index and reduces the probability of a women being underweight. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of family planning awareness programs for the country especially the use of contraceptives in order to control fertility. In order to control for and maintain maternal health, the study recommends the investment in maternal education, the promotion of family planning awareness programs and promoting female empowerment. Based on the limited empirical studies on maternal health status, fertility and mortality in Namibia, this study adds to the empirical evidence in this area and also creates room for further research on fertility and maternal health.