An Analysis Of The Determinants Of Fertility In Matuga Division, Matuga Sub-County, Kwale County, Kenya

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.