Table 4 Multilevel multivariable logistic regression results of knowledge of ovulatory cycle and its individual/household and community level factors in Africa: evidence from DHS of 29 countries (N = 383,131)

Women’s age in years

15–19 (Ref)

20–24

1.72 (1.00–2.96)*

1.70 (0.98–2.92)

25–29

2.29 (1.28–4.08)**

2.22 (1.25–3.95)**

30–34

2.97 (1.62–5.44)***

2.84 (1.55–5.21)**

35–39

2.40 (1.28–4.49)**

2.30 (1.23–4.31)**

40–44

3.74 (1.99–7.03)***

3.57 (1.90–6.67)***

45–49

2.59 (1.34–5.01)**

2.49 (1.29–4.82)**

Women’s educational level

No formal education (Ref)

Primary school

1.24 (0.91–1.69)

1.23 (0.90–1.68)

Secondary school

1.62 (1.14–2.31)**

1.57 (1.09–2.26)*

Higher

2.72 (1.47–5.02)**

2.58 (1.40–4.75)**

Husband’s educational level

No formal education (Ref)

Primary school

1.13 (0.79–1.60)

1.08 (0.76–1.54)

Secondary school

1.34 (0.92–1.96)

1.28 (0.87–1.87)

Higher

1.07 (0.61–1.86)

1.01 (0.58–1.76)

Economic status

Poorest (Ref)

Poor

1.16 (0.85–1.60)

1.14 (0.81–1.60)

Middle

1.30 (0.88–1.91)

1.12 (0.69–1.83)

Rich

1.70 (1.123–2.59)*

1.29 (0.71–2.34)

Richest

1.65 (1.05–2.60)*

1.20 (0.64–2.26)

Media exposure

No (Ref)

Yes

1.19 (0.88–1.61)

1.08 (0.80–1.47)

Currently employed

No (Ref)

Yes

1.08 (0.81–1.44)

1.08 (0.81–1.44)

Parity

0 (Ref)

1–2

1.23 (0.69–2.18)

1.23 (0.69–2.18)

3–4

0.86 (0.48–1.54)

0.87 (0.49–1.56)

5+

0.94 (0.53–1.68)

0.97 (0.54–1.74)

Distance to health facility

Big problem (Ref)

Not a big problem

1.12 (0.91–1.37)

1.02 (0.79–1.31)

Place of residence

Urban (Ref)

Rural

1.36 (0.91–2.04)

1.41 (0.89–2.25)

Community literacy level

Low (Ref)

Medium

1.15 (0.83–1.60)

0.93 (0.64–1.33)

High

2.08 (1.42–3.05)***

1.36 (0.86–2.13)

Community level contraceptive knowledge

Low (Ref)

Medium

1.09 (0.81–1.46)

1.09 (0.78–1.52)

High

1.01 (0.71–1.44)

1.02 (0.68–1.52)

Community level poverty

Low (Ref)

Medium

0.92 (0.67–1.25)

1.02 (0.69–1.50)

High

1.00 (0.58–1.73)

1.10 (0.53–2.27)

Community level media exposure

Low (Ref)

Medium

1.79 (1.22–2.61)**

1.55 (0.99–2.44)

High

2.53 (1.61–3.96)***

2.24 (1.32–3.81)**