A Dyadic Approach to The Study of Perceived Infertility and Contraceptive Use

Abstract

Using data sourced from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, binary and multinomial logistic regression models are estimated to analyse the correlates of perceived infertility, and the relationship between perceived infertility and contraceptive use of 1,654 couples. Results show that both biological and life-course interference factors are strong predictors of the perception of infertility at the couple level, with women’s characteristics more influential than their partner’s characteristics. Additionally, couples with perceived infertility are less likely to use contraception, regardless of their short-term intentions or desire to have a child.