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Kenya Enters the Fertility Transition.

Authors :
Robinson, Warren C.
Source :
Population Studies; Nov1992, Vol. 46 Issue 3, p445-457, 13p
Publication Year :
1992

Abstract

The article discusses the changes in the fertility rate in Kenya. The recently published 1989 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) constitutes the strongest evidence, but there are numerous other studies, both quantitative and qualitative, which point to declining fertility rates in Kenya. The evidence also suggests that this decline is due to rapidly changing attitudes about family size and increasing contraceptive usage. The KDHS 1989 report suggests that if young women continue to have children at current rates, they will have an average of 6.7 births in their lifetime. The total fertility has declined to 7.7 from 8.1, as was found by the surveys conducted in 1984 and 1975-77. A major cause of the decline in fertility is increased use of family planning, which has increased from 7% in 1975-77 to 17% in 1984. Now it has been increased to 27%. Modern methods of contraception account for two-thirds of all prevalence. The trend between 1962 and 1989 indicates that fertility rose, leveled off, and then fell after 1980. The article also describes several other studies including Chogoria Mission study, and Kenya voluntary sterilization programme. The contraceptive prevalence is rising in Kenya, and fertility is falling. Both trends are solidly based on major attitudinal changes by both men and women during the last 20 years. The increasing effectiveness of the family planning programme seems also to have played a major role in facilitating changed behaviour to match the changed attitudes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00324728
Volume :
46
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Population Studies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
7979699
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/0032472031000146446