Pc. Tan et Np. Tey, DO FERTILITY INTENTIONS PREDICT SUBSEQUENT BEHAVIOR - EVIDENCE FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, Studies in family planning, 25(4), 1994, pp. 222-231
Data from the 1984 Malaysian Population and Family Survey were matched
with birth registration records for 1985-87 to determine the accuracy
of statements regarding desired family size that were reported in a h
ousehold survey in predicting subsequent reproductive behavior. The fi
ndings of this study were that stated fertility intention provides fai
rly accurate forecasts of fertility behavior in the subsequent period.
In other words, whether a woman has another child is predicted closel
y by whether she wanted an additional child. Informational, educationa
l, and motivational activities of family planning programs would, ther
efore, have greater success in reducing family size if fertility inten
tions were taken into account.