Im. Timaeus et A. Reynar, POLYGYNISTS AND THEIR WIVES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - AN ANALYSIS OF 5 DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS, Population Studies, 52(2), 1998, pp. 145-162
Differential polygyny in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia is
investigated using individual-level Demographic and Health Surveys dat
a. As well as contrasting polygynists first wives with women in monoga
mous unions, the analysis distinguishes higher-order wives from first
wives. This permits study of the determinants of the prevalence and in
tensity of polygyny respectively. Polygyny and other aspects of marria
ge interlock in very similar ways in all five countries. Individuals'
experience of polygyny tends to reflect their luck in the marriage mar
ket rather than their socio-economic characteristics. While polygyny i
s less prevalent in urban areas, other socio-economic factors are impo
rtant only in Kenya and Zambia, the two countries where less than 25 p
er cent of married women are in polygynous unions. The prevalence and
intensity of polygyny are negatively associated. Thus, any drop in the
prevalence of polygyny in Africa may be accompanied by a rise in the
number of wives per polygynist.