An Investigation into Factors Associated with Having a Second Child: Three-Year Follow-up on Parents of a Nationally Representative Birth Cohort in Taiwan

Yu-Hsuan Lin, Bureau of Health Promotion, Taiwan
Shu-Hui Wu, Bureau of Health Promotion, Taiwan
Wan-Hsun Chen, Bureau of Health Promotion, Taiwan
Hui-Sheng Lin, Chung-Shan Medical University
Baai-Shyun Hurng, Bureau of Health Promotion, Taiwan

This study aimed to investigate factors that are associated with having second child. We used data from a prospective, nationally representative birth cohort in Taiwan. A total of 10,039 mothers who gave birth to their first baby in 2005 were recruited for analysis. Contingency table and Chi square test were applied to compare differences across categories. We used multiple logistic regression models to identify predictive factors of having a second child. Within a follow-up period of 3 years, 42.5% of the mothers had a second child. Younger at the time of first birth, living in rural area, having higher education, better family income and less financial or time stress were significantly associated with progression to second birth. The probability of having a second child is higher among those whose first child was a daughter. It is crucial to provide child-bearing aged couples with more supportive environment for child-rearing.