Table 3 Knowledge of ovulatory cycle among women of reproductive age across explanatory variables in Africa: evidence from DHS of 29 countries (N = 383,131)
Variable | Frequency (Weighted %) | Knowledge of ovulatory cycle | COR [95% CI] |
|---|---|---|---|
Women’s age in years |  |  |  |
15–19 | 82,603 (24.0) | 12.0 | Ref |
20–24 | 71,379 (21.2) | 15.4 | 1.47 (1.16–1.87)** |
25–29 | 66,564 (17.1) | 17.5 | 1.71 (1.33–2.20)*** |
30–34 | 54,298 (12.4) | 18.4 | 1.71 (1.29–2.28)*** |
35–39 | 46,200 (10.5) | 14.7 | 1.44 (1.10–1.89)** |
40–44 | 34,482 (8.6) | 18.5 | 1.79 (1.32–2.43)*** |
45–49 | 27,605 (6.2) | 15.8 | 1.65 (1.24–2.20)** |
Women’s educational level |  |  |  |
No formal education | 130,603 (22.1) | 8.58 | Ref |
Primary school | 124,382 (34.8) | 12.0 | 1.28 (1.02–1.62)* |
Secondary school | 113,639 (38.3) | 20.1 | 1.98 (1.56–2.52)*** |
Higher | 14,463 (4.8) | 36.7 | 3.51 (2.25–5.46)*** |
Husband’s educational level |  |  |  |
No formal education | 94,297 (13.4) | 8.1 | Ref |
Primary school | 68,536 (29.2) | 11.5 | 1.35 (0.97–1.88) |
Secondary school | 69,989 (49.3) | 18.8 | 1.99 (1.44–2.76)*** |
Higher | 17,328 (8.1) | 26.7 | 2.27 (1.42–3.64)** |
Economic status | Â | Â | Â |
Poorest | 78,290 (16.9) | 7.8 | Ref |
Poorer | 73,319 (17.6) | 9.2 | 1.31 (1.01–1.70)* |
Middle | 72,742 (19.5) | 12.3 | 1.68 (1.29–2.19)*** |
Richer | 74,117 (22.5) | 18.8 | 2.82 (2.14–3.72)*** |
Richest | 84,663 (23.6) | 25.3 | 3.25 (2.43–4.34)*** |
Place of residence | Â | Â | Â |
Urban | 141,992 (69.6) | 18.4 | Ref |
Rural | 241,139 (30.4) | 8.9 | 0.51 (0.41–0.64)*** |
Media exposure | Â | Â | Â |
No | 124,486 (26.2) | 7.9 | Ref |
Yes | 257,938 (73.8) | 18.2 | 1.68 (1.37–2.07)*** |
Distance to health facility | Â | Â | Â |
Big problem | 146,746 (51.8) | 13.7 | Ref |
Not a big problem | 224,733 (48.2) | 17.5 | 1.19 (0.97–1.46) |
Marital status | Â | Â | Â |
Not married | 186,893 (89.2) | 15.2 | Ref |
Married | 196,238 (10.8) | 18.0 | 1.19 (0.94–1.50) |
Currently employed | Â | Â | Â |
No | 155,544 (34.9) | 13.9 | Ref |
Yes | 227,017 (65.1) | 16.4 | 1.41 (1.16–1.70)*** |
Parity | Â | Â | Â |
0 | 102,282 (24.9) | 15.2 | Ref |
1–2 | 53,610 (15.1) | 18.6 | 1.49 (1.17–1.90)** |
3–4 | 129,304 (34.5) | 15.3 | 1.24 (1.01–1.53)* |
5+ | 97,935 (25.5) | 14.4 | 1.31 (1.06–1.63)* |
Community literacy level | Â | Â | Â |
Low | 130,514 (24.9) | 8.2 | Ref |
Medium | 125,832 (32.2) | 11.1 | 1.41 (1.08–1.84)* |
High | 126,785 (43.0) | 23.1 | 3.35 (2.62–4.28)*** |
Community level contraceptive knowledge | Â | Â | Â |
Low | 249,755 (27.0) | 8.5 | Ref |
Medium | 92,924 (30.4) | 14.8 | 1.71 (1.31–2.22)*** |
High | 40,452 (42.6) | 20.5 | 2.50 (1.91–3.27)*** |
Community level poverty | Â | Â | Â |
Low | 132,315 (49.1) | 21.4 | Ref |
Medium | 128,993 (23.7) | 11.8 | 0.50 (0.39–0.64)*** |
High | 121,823 (27.1) | 8.2 | 0.34 (0.26–0.44)*** |
Community level media exposure | Â | Â | Â |
Low | 134,267 (25.9) | 7.0 | Ref |
Medium | 139,448 (25.4) | 11.9 | 1.79 (1.37–2.33)*** |
High | 109,416 (48.7) | 21.9 | 3.52 (2.72–4.55)*** |