Fertility behaviour of foreign nationals in South Africa : a case of Alexandra Township .

Abstract

Background: International migration to South Africa has increased over the past decades. Majority of immigrants or foreign nationals settle in cities or urban townships more especially in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. Migration has been shown to influence the proximate determinants of fertility in the host countries. However, little is known about fertility behaviour of foreign national women in urban townships and how this affects the public healthcare system. The study aimed to examine background factors influencing fertility behaviour of foreign national women. The report also aimed to examine if fertility behaviour foreign nationals has any implications for the healthcare system in South Africa. Methods: This study was undertaken between December 2013 and March 2014 and respondents were foreign nationals residing in Alexandra Township. The study applied qualitative research strategies. Thirteen female respondents and three male respondents aged 20-44 years were selected using both convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Eight individual interviews and two focus group discussions were carried out using semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Data collected were transcribed, coded, arranged and analysed manually using thematic data analysis process. Results: Majority of foreign national women were in non-marital sexual relationships and staying with their partners. Many relied on modern methods such as injections, pills and condoms for birth control. The findings also revealed numerous factors influencing sexual, birth control and childbearing attitudes and behaviours such as sociocultural norms, socioeconomic and demographic factors. With regard to birth control practices, access to primary healthcare facilities enabled them to use contraceptives. Although none of the female respondents had more than five children, almost all had at least one child born in South Africa. Conclusion: Fertility behaviour of foreign national women in Alexandra Township has numerous implications for the healthcare system in South Africa. The findings suggest that their fertility behaviour is likely to increase the demand for maternal and child health services as well as the demand for contraception. However, the study included a smaller sample size of immigrants from the low-income category and therefore cannot be generalised to the entire foreign national population in South Africa. A qualitative study with a larger sample size could establish more diverse perceptions on the implications of fertility behaviour of foreign nationals in South Africa.