The Demographic, Socio-Economic and Cultural Factors Influencing Non-Marital Fertility in Makueni District, Kenya

Abstract

Fertility has been and is a major determinant of population growth in Kenya. The country has witnessed increasing levels of non-marital fertility. The rates are high for the unmarried women. Hence study was designed to investigate the factors influencing non-marital fertility in Makueni District of Kenya. A rural-peri-urban appraisal survey design was adopted targeting women aged between 15 to 49 years who had non-marital births. A total of 120 women from the study areas were sampled. The primary data on the demographic, socio-economic and cultural factors that influenced non-marital fertility in the district were collected. Various factors like age, family background, education, occupation etc. were focussed during carrying out this study. The findings of this study are important for the policy makers and administrators namely; the ministry of planning, ministry of health and the individuals with non-marital births. From the study findings it was recommended that the government will have to come forward to stop this abuse in society.