Enduring Economic Hardship: How Poverty Shapes Fertility in Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of poverty on
fertility among women in the Ubungo district of
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Utilizing a crosssectional design, the research focuses on women
of reproductive age (15-49 years). Data were
collected via questionnaires from 96 respondents
selected through stratified and simple random
sampling. The analysis encompassed both
descriptive statistics—mean, standard deviation,
frequencies, and percentages—and econometric
analysis using probit regression and Zero
Inflated Poisson (ZIP) models. The first objective
examined the determinants of poverty through
the probit model, revealing significant influences
from factors such as age, household size,
employment status, access to nutritious food, and
healthcare services. The second objective
assessed the effect of poverty on fertility using
the ZIP model, highlighting significant
correlations with age, education level, marital
status, employment status, and access to family
planning services. These findings underscore the
intricate relationship between poverty and
fertility, offering critical insights for policy
interventions aimed at improving the
socioeconomic conditions of women in Tanzania.