Male Fertility Estimates in Uganda: 2001-2016

Henry Nsobya, Uganda Development and Health Associates
Elizabeth Nansubuga, Makerere Unviersity
Cyprian Misinde, Makerere University

This paper seeks to estimate male fertility rates for the period 2001 – 2016 in Uganda, using data from the Uganda Demographic Health Surveys conducted between 2001 and 2016. Analysis was performed on a sample of 7,885 households in 2001, 8,870 in 2006, 9,033 in 2011 and 19,588 in 2016, by linking children aged 0-4 years to their natural fathers. The outcome variable was period Age Specific Fertility Rates (ASFRs). Male Fertility Rate was 10.2 children per man in 2001, 11.9 in 2006 and 9.3 in 2011 and 8.4 in 2016. Male fertility rate significantly declined by 1.8 points from 10.2 in 2001 to 8.4 children per man in 2016 (p <0.05). Percentage change in ASFRs was pronounced among men aged 50 years and above. Male fertility was high between 2001 and 2016. Findings should guide strengthening of male involvement in reproductive health and formulation of fertility control policies.