Factors Influencing High Fertility In Kondoa District

ABSTRACT

The study, on the assessment of the factors influencing high fertility was carried out in Kondoa District, in four villages namely Pahi, Salare, Haubi and Mafai. Data were collected by using questionnaires surveys, focus group discussions and interviews. A total of 100 respondents were involved in the study. The information obtained, was then analyzed by using SPSS and qualitative information as well analyzed by using content analysis. The study findings indicate that, majority of respondents 54% had >5 children and 46% had below 5 children. The high fertility was due to lack of family planning education, value of children and socio-cultural factors including prestige of having many children; child preference and religion influence. Moreover, findings indicate that, shortage of health providers, remoteness of villages, lack of dispensary/health center in villages and ignoring knowledge from health providers, to the community members were also among factors influenced a high fertility. The study concludes that, the Government and NGOs should play a great part in reducing high fertility in the District. Hence, the study recommends that, the Government with support of NGOs should come out with new strategies of sensitization on reduction the high population growth. All interventions, should involve advocacy with religious leaders and other influential people, to attend meetings conducted by health experts in order to be aware of reproductive health and to get knowledge, on reproduction matters.