An Analysis of the Determinants of Fertility in Matuga Division, Matuga Sub-County, Kwale County, Kenya
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Date
2017-04
Authors
Mwatengar, Salimu Hamadi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The world total fertility rate has dropped from 4.95 births per woman to 2.36 births per
woman in the last 50 years. In developing countries the total fertility rate has dropped
from 6.0 births per woman in the 1960s to 2.9 births per woman in 2005 and was
expected to have dropped even further in 2015. Kenya‟s fertility has declined from 7.8
births per woman in 1979 to 4.6 births per woman in 2009 (KNBS, 2010). Despite the
general drop in fertility, there are differentials where some regions have higher fertility
rates than others. Fertility in Kwale County still remains high at 6.0 births per woman
(DDP, 2008-2012).The objective of this study was to analyse the direct and indirect
determinants of fertility among women aged 15 – 49 in Matuga division. The specific
objectives were to; examine if socio-economic, demographic, socio-cultural and
proximate determinants affect the fertility in the division. Analysis of the proximate
determinants of fertility was done using an adopted model from Stover 1998. The model
divided the determinants into direct determinants including: women sexuality,
contraceptive use, women sterility and postpartum insusceptibility. Indirect determinants
included: age of the respondents, education level, religion, number of children and
employment status. A sample size of 214 women was randomly selected. Primary data
was collected from the field in October 2013. Secondary data was acquired from the 2009
census report, Kenya Demographic Health Survey reports (1989, 1998, 2004 and 2010)
and Kwale District Development Plan (2008-2012). The tools used to collect data
included a questionnaire and a key informant interview guide to supplement the data. The
methods of analysis used include: calculation of percentages, mean and median and use of
the proximate determinants model. Results revealed that the fertility rate of Matuga
Division is 5.8 births per woman. Furthermore, it also indicated that of the proximate
determinants of fertility, post-partum insusceptibility at 0.72 had the most inhibiting
effect on fertility while contraceptive use at 0.98 had the least depressing effect on
fertility. Other measurements included women sexuality and sterility with inhibiting
effects of 0.73 and 0.81 respectively. On the non- proximate determinants, 48.1% of the
women interviewed were not using any method of contraception despite being aware of at
least one. A very small percentage of just 2.4 % were using condom as a method of
contraception. 63.3% of the women interviewed breastfed up to at least 21 months. The
mean age at first sexual intercourse was estimated to be at 16 years and 9 months. The
study found out that only 20.4% of the women in the study were experiencing secondary
sterility. Consequently, the government should embark on community sensitisation on the
importance of contraceptive use to the community‟s welfare. Organisations should also
make condoms readily available in the community by putting them up in dispensers at
boda boda stages, market places and public toilets.
Description
Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts (Population Geography) Degree of Kenyatta University, April 2017