3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions

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    Multilevel determinants of fertility behaviour in Eswatini
    (2018) Chemhaka, Garikayi Bernard
    The study re-examines the levels, trends and determinants of fertility in Eswatini. The overall objective of the study is to understand fertility behaviour of Swati women. Fertility behaviour is explained by actual (current and lifetime) fertility and proximate determinants of fertility measures. The following variables were considered as regression dependent variables: i) lifetime fertility (children ever born), ii) current use of contraception. The study used data from four population censuses (1976, 1986, 1997 and 2007) and 2007 Eswatini Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The study employed direct and indirect estimation methods (P/F ratio methods-Brass, Trussell, Arriaga, Feeney; Relational Gompertz model and regression based methods-Rele’s, Palmore’s, Gunasekaran and Palmore methods), to estimate the level and trends of fertility in Eswatini. The impact of the proximate determinants of fertility on the level of fertility was assessed using the Bongaarts model and its modifications. Bivariate and multivariate (or multilevel) Poisson and logistic regressions analyses were used to examine the correlates of fertility and contraceptive use in Eswatini. The study found that between 1966 and 1976, fertility remained constant and thereafter fertility declined from 7.0 in 1976 to 4.6 children per woman in 2007. Contraceptive use among sexually active women is 46.1% of which 1.9% used traditional methods and 44.2% used modern contraceptives. Among the individual-level factors influencing fertility were child mortality, women’s empowerment, ideal number of children, employment, marriage, female education, wealth, age at first sex and age at first birth. At community-level, rural-urban residence played a significant role in shaping fertility in Eswatini. On the one hand, fertility was positively associated with child mortality, women’s empowerment, ideal number of children, employment, marriage and rural residence. On the other hand, fertility was negatively associated with female education, wealth, age at first sex, age at first birth, but not associated with mass media exposure and contraceptive use. The analyses of the proximate determinants of fertility revealed that contraception had the greatest impact on fertility reduction, then postpartum infecundability, sexual activity and induced abortion. In terms of contraceptive use, the study indicated that the following individual-level variables are significantly associated with contraceptive use in Eswatini: occupation, wealth, education, exposure to mass media, women’s empowerment, marital/union status, age, parity and age at first birth. The study recommends, among other things, improving female education, delaying age at first birth and sexual debut, and reducing poverty, child mortality and desired number of children as measures that can be adopted to accelerate fertility decline in the country. In addition, the study recommends more studies on aspects such as women’s empowerment, employment, marriage patterns, and rural-urban divide disadvantages which could provide additional insights into fertility behaviour. Efficient and effective fertility reducing programmes and interventions should be directed towards individual-level differences as well as considering the urban-rural community contexts in Eswatini.
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    Effect of women's education on fertility in Rwanda: Evidence from the 2000 RDHS
    (2006-11-14T12:05:07Z) Kavatiri, Rwego Albert;
    Most studies indicate that women’s education plays a very important role in driving demographic transition. This study aims at exploring the effect of women’s education on fertility in Rwanda. The study is based on the analysis of the 2000 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey and employs both direct and indirect methods of estimating fertility. Bongaarts proximate determinants model and such statistical analyses as PATH analysis. The major finding of the study is that although fertility is still high in Rwanda there is some evidence of fertility decline and marriage is the most important proximate determinant of fertility in the country. The study recommends that more studies are needed to find out socioeconomic variables that affect fertility and contribute to low contraceptive use in the country.
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    Fertility Levels and Differentials in Informal Settlements in South Africa: Evidence from the 2001 South African Population Census.
    (2006-11-13T13:28:09Z) Mpezo, Muanzu
    Previous studies on fertility in South Africa have mostly focused on the analysis of fertility trends, levels and differentials at the national level and have argued that socioeconomic development affects the national fertility level. This study examines the fertility levels in South Africa informal settlements with a view of examining whether there is any fertility variation between national and informal settlements. Data from the South Africa 2001 Census 10 per cent sample were used. Three levels of analysis were conducted. One examines fertility differentials. Two, multiple regression technique was applied to identify important socioeconomic factors of fertility in South African informal settlements and finally direct and indirect estimation of fertility was done. There is no difference in fertility levels between national and informal settlements. Fertility of 3 children per woman, in informal settlements is close to the national figure of 2.9. It is also shown that there is an inverse relationship between fertility and education and income, in South Africa informal settlements. Multivariate analysis shows that only about 6% of the variation in the dependent variable can be explained by the socioeconomic factors considered in the study. Fertility in the informal settlements was highest amongst women with higher education, among married women, and among those unemployed. In addition, the fertility of Christian women, and those women dwelling in households without radio and television was high. It is found that there is no difference between fertility levels at the national and informal settlements levels.
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