How Maternal Health Inequalities Shape Fertility Choices in Ethiopia

Fertility plays a big role in shaping the population of a country—its size, structure, and makeup. Knowing what people want when it comes to having kids, also known as fertility preferences, helps predict population growth. This study looked into how differences in using key maternal health services affect what high-parity women in four regions of Ethiopia—Afar, Beninshangul-Gumuz, Gambella, and Somali—want their families to look like. They found that when women have access to and use important maternal health services, it can change their minds about having more children.In places like Afar, where access to healthcare is tough, women might have larger families because they don't have the support they need to space out pregnancies or prevent unwanted ones. But in regions like Beninshangul-Gumuz, where healthcare is more available, women might choose to have fewer kids. This isn't just about having access to doctors and hospitals, though. It's also about things like education, income, and cultural beliefs that can influence a woman's choices. The study shows that giving women equal chances to use maternal health services can lead to different family planning decisions. It's not just about giving women the tools to have healthier pregnancies, but also about empowering them to make choices that fit their lives and dreams.