Determinants of Burundi fertility differentials: Evidence from the 2016-17 Burundi Demographic and Health Survey.

Abstract Background Although fertility control remains a major priority for the Burundian government and most of its partners, few studies on Burundi’s fertility determinants are available to guide interventions. Our study aims to examine factors influencing Burundi’s fertility differentials using the latest Burundi Demographic and Health Survey data. Results In our weighted sample size of 17,269 women aged 15–49, the total number of children ever born ranged from 0 to 15 children by women with a mean of 2.7 children (Standard deviation = 2.8). Factors such as residence in rural or in Central-Eastern, western and Southern regions, illiteracy/low level of education of both husband and women, women and husband agricultural professions, household poverty, male headed households, previous experience of infant mortality, early marriage and early childbearing, lack of knowledge of any contraceptive methods, non-use of modern contraceptive methods and desire of a large number of children were identified as factors associated with a high fertility rate in Burundi. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that actions aimed at promoting education, especially female education, and improving child survival, women’s socioeconomic status, agriculture mechanization and increasing number and scope of family planning services could help reduce Burundi’s fertility rate.