Factors associated with reproductive behavior of low income mothers in Kiandutu Slum in Thika District, Kenya.
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Date
2007-09
Authors
Kamau, Jane Njeri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The low income mothers are characterized by poverty and yet they seem not to
have the desire to limit the number of children they have, hence there was
need for a research concerning aspects of their reproductive behavior where
crucial gaps still seem to exist. Thus the purpose of this study was to
investigate factors associated with reproductive behavior of low mcome
mothers in Kiandutu slum in Thika District, Kenya. The study was based on
the safe motherhood theoretical framework, which outlines the linkages
between the contextual, intermediate, and proximate causes that determine the
prenatal health status of pregnant mothers. A conceptual framework was used
which outlined the contextual, intermediate and proximate causes that
determine the reproductive behavior of low inco,me mothers. The study
employed a descriptive survey research design and used a sample size of 120
respondents (mothers) to provide the required data through the use of
interview schedule guides. The data was analyzed using frequency tables,
percentages, means, cross-tabulation chi-square, and one-way Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA). Qualitative data involved coding of the information and
I
then identifying variables that would depict general concepts and themes. The
results of the study revealed that some of the mother's demographic
characteristics, that is, the level of education, occupation, income levels and
religion affiliation had an influence on the reproductive behavior of low
income mothers. For instance majority of respondents with secondary level of
education (73.3%) had a lower reproductive behavior than those with primary
education (66.7%). An examination of knowledge of contraceptives revealed a
high index of 95% and was found to have a significant relationship with
marital status and income levels. But however statistical analysis revealed that
knowledge of contraceptives had no influence on reproductive behavior of low
income mothers. Out of the 95% who knew about contraceptives 77.5% of
them were found to use them. Chi square test results revealed that use of
contraceptives had a significant relationship with age of the respondent,
income levels and occupation. Further analysis revealed that use of
contraceptives had no influence on reproductive behavior of low income
mothers. On attitude towards contraceptives; the findings showed that it had a
significant relationship with all the respondents' demographic factors under
study. Further analysis revealed that attitude towards contraceptives was found
to influence reproductive behavior of low income mothers. Mother's decision
making patterns on issues related to reproduction had no influence on
reproductive behavior of low income mothers. The study also revealed that
although the women were knowledgeable on issues dealing with
contraceptives, this was greatly undermined by the fact that men made
decisions on matters dealing with when to have sexual intercourse and the
number of children to have. Lastly the researcher made several
recommendations all geared towards enhancing the reproductive behavior of
low income mothers. It is hoped that this information will enable the low
income mothers to delay age at first birth, age at first marriage and also space
and limit births so that they can bring up well-developed children.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of master of science (Family and Consumer Sciences) of Kenyatta University. September, 2007. HQ 763.6 .K4K3