African Population Studies (UAPS) / Etude de la Population Africaine (UEPA)
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Record high fertility in sub-Saharan Africa in a comparative perspective
No full textThe study documents cases of extremely high fertility in sub-Saharan Africa. The DHS surveys were used for the analysis, with straightforward calculations of period and cohort fertility. Two case studies were further analysed: Kenya (1965-69) and Niger (1982-86). In both cases, total fertility in rural areas reached 9 children per woman, as high as among the Hutterites of North-America (1921-1940). However, the complete family size never exceeded 8.0 children per woman in Kenya (cohorts 1939-1946) and 8.2 children per woman in Niger (cohorts 1960-1967). Compared with the Hutterites, in both African countries the age pattern of fertility was earlier and with a lower mode, age at marriage was earlier, birth intervals were longer because of long breastfeeding, and secondary infertility was more frequent after the 5th birth. Other proximate determinants of fertility appeared similar in the three populations, with the probable exception of health and nutritional status. Implications for modelling are discussed
Power dynamics, gender relations and decision-making regarding induced abortion among university students in Nigeria
No full textThis study investigates the effects of gender and power relations on decision-making regarding induced abortion among undergraduate students in Nigeria. The qualitative in-depth interview method of data collection was utilised to elicit data on the objectives of the study. Findings of the study reveal four dimensions of gender and power relations that have significant impact on decision-making regarding induced abortion in the study location. The four essential forms of gender and power relations identified are: i.) Male-female power relations, ii.) Parent-child power relations, iii.) Significant order and power relations among peers, and iv.) Lecturer-student power relations. These four typologies of gender and power relations among other things promote a detrimental culture of clandestine and unsafe induced abortion among single young undergraduate students in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, there is a need to strengthen the existing structure that promotes gender equality in the country. In addition, young female students that are sexually active should be empowered to adopt efficient and effective contraception. Furthermore, there is a need to build the capacity of Nigerian female undergraduate students especially in the areas of self-dignity and self-esteem in order for them to take right decisions whenever an unwanted pregnancy occurs
Fertility, labour force participation and poverty among married women in Nigeria
No full textContext: Previous studies have established increasing female employment and fertility transition in developed countries and improved social welfare. However, findings on female employment, fertility transition and poverty incidence have shown mixed results in Nigeria. The paper examined critical issues of fertility, female employment and poverty incidence among women of reproductive ages in Nigeria. Specifically, we examined the linkages between fertility, female employment, and household wealth to enrich our understanding of the relationships among characteristics.Method: We analysed the 2013 Nigeria DHS dataset. The association of fertility, female employment, and poverty incidence was assessed using Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression.Results: Female employment was positively related to fertility rate and negatively related to household wealth. Other significant predictors of fertility and poverty incidence are age, level of education, religion, and location of residence. Conclusion: Women participation in Labour force enhance household wealth status but do not necessarily limit fertility. Policies and programmes aimed at fertility reduction and poverty alleviation should focus on formal employment and female education
Influence of the Service Delivery Environment on Family Planning Outcomes in Nigeria
No full textUsing linked data from a 2009 health facility and household survey and multilevel logit models, this paper examined the association of the service delivery environment with contraceptive outcomes in Nigeria. The findings showed significant positive associations of the number of modern contraceptive methods provided and quality assurance systems used by health facilities in the Local Government Area (LGA) with the odds of knowing three or more modern methods. These odds were significantly higher among rural than urban residents. The LGA indices of provider training in FP and provider-client interaction had significant positive associations, while a perceived need for more staff in FP health facilities had a significant negative association with the odds of current use of a modern method. The positive association between the index of FP provider-client interaction and current use of a modern method was significantly stronger among women than men and in semi-urban than urban areas
Family structure and full vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 months in West Africa: Analysis of the interaction effects of maternal education
No full textChildhood vaccination is affected by many maternal socio-economic and family characteristics but these often change over time such that the pattern of relationship needs to be reappraised periodically. In this study, we investigated the influence of family structure and interaction effects of maternal education on full vaccination coverage in the West Africa. Random effects logistic regression was applied to the most recent demographic and health survey data on children aged 12-23 months in six countries. Main explanatory variable was sex of household head and family type. Children living in female-headed households (FHHS) were less likely to be fully vaccinated in five out of six countries [Liberia (OR=0.77), Mali (OR=0.64), Senegal (OR=0.80), Sierra Leone and Togo (OR=0.85)]. Polygyny was negatively associated with full vaccination in three countries [Liberia 9OR=0.79), Mali (OR=0.88), Togo (OR=0.80)]. Interaction effects showed that secondary/higher education enhanced better vaccination coverage among children in FHHs in five countries. Children of single mothers and polygynous women with secondary/higher education recorded higher likelihood of full vaccination. There was a moderate association between family structure and childhood vaccination but the relationship was modified by maternal education which either mitigated the negative influence or amplified the positive effect of family characteristics. Immunization advocacy and awareness programmes may need to target under-five mothers without formal education and those living in female-headed households and polygynous families
Census-taking in Nigeria: The good, the technical, and the politics of numbers
No full textThis paper examines the historical context of census-taking and its importance to development trajectory of Nigeria from 1866 to 2006. Secondary data obtained from five-year national development plans, archival records, in-depth interviews and extant demographic literature were used to determine how population census exercises has evolved in a 140-year period, the problem of counting Nigerians living in Nigeria, and the politics of using population as a yardstick for distributing national wealth. The study shows that nearly all censuses were found to be grossly inadequate, tradition of conducting censuses every ten years has not taken root in Nigeria, and colonial administration as well as post-independence governments grappled with politics of numbers for socio-economic development planning. Despite flaws, the 1991 census remains relatively acceptable amidst fifteen complete and incomplete censuses ever taken in Nigeria in the period under study
Adolescents’ childbearing dynamics in urban Mozambique: a qualitative analysis in Maputo, Quelimane and Lichinga cities
No full textDespite the implementation of some policies and programs aimed at reducing early and unsafe adolescent sexual activity, adolescent pregnancy and childbearing are major concerns in Mozambique. About 40% of adolescents aged 15 to 19 are already mothers or pregnant. In light of this high prevalence of early motherhood, this paper aims at discussing socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing adolescent pregnancy and childbearing in urban Mozambique. We use the socioecological perspective framework to analyze focus group discussions data with adolescents, parents and community leaders in the cities of Maputo, Quelimane, and Lichinga. The study reveals that instructions transmitted in the initiation rites, living conditions and the exposure to information and communication technology are the main factors influencing early pregnancy and childbearing among adolescents in Mozambique. Adolescents should be empowered on knowledge about sexuality to prevent early childbearing, and protect them from STIs. Parents should be encouraged to talk openly about sexuality with their children.
Life satisfaction and internal migration intention in South Africa
No full textThis study explored the relationship between satisfaction with life and internal migration intention in South Africa. Data were from three waves of the National Income Dynamics Surveys (NIDS) conducted in 2008, 2010, and 2012. Analyses of data were by descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi square, ordinary least square and binary logistic regressions. The regression coefficient of life satisfaction was 3.29 in 2008, 2.96 in 2010, and 3.10 in 2012. Well-being variables significantly predicted life satisfaction, even as life satisfaction was negatively correlated with intention to migrate. The significant predictor of life satisfaction was race while the intention to migrate was influenced by life satisfaction in 2008 (OR=0.95), 2010 (OR=1.06) and 2012 (OR=0.98). Other predictors of intention to migrate were age, race and educational status. These findings will be relevant in the assessment and evaluation of the efficacy of policy interventions and strategies aimed at improving satisfaction with life in the country
Analysis of district oral health services in KwaZulu-Natal
No full textThere is very little published data on public oral health services in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This paper analyzes oral health service delivery within the Department of Health in KZN.MethodsThe study used an in-depth, analytical and mixed methods approach with a combination of primary and secondary data. The primary data included telephonic interviews. The secondary data comprised a review of health policy documents and statistical records on oral health services in KwaZulu-Natal. Document review comprised 11 purposively selected national and provincial health and oral health policy documents. Structured telephonic interviews were conducted with purposively selected district oral health managers (n=10). Statistical records for the period 2010 to 2012 were obtained from the KZN District Health Information System. Data analysis included content analysis for the health policy documents and thematic analysis for the interview data. The quantitative data was analyzed using the statistical software package for social sciences SPSS version 23.0.ResultsFive of the reviewed policy documents made reference to oral health care. The majority of the interview participants indicated that oral health service delivery in KwaZulu-Natal was inadequate. The themes that arose from data analysis included lack of human resources, dental equipment and consumables, and inadequate dental education and promotion programmes. Data on oral health service delivery indicated imbalances in the distribution of dental facilities and oral health workers. Although there was an increase in dental visits for the required period, dental extractions remained the most frequent clinical procedure.Conclusion There is an urgent need to re-orient oral health service delivery with a stronger commitment to disease prevention and oral health promotion
Regional variations in seasonality of births in Nigeria, 1990-2007: A trigonometric regression model approach
No full textBackground: Seasonality of births in Nigeria has been previously addressed in a small number of studies. This study was designed to explore and describe the regional variations in the seasonality of births in Nigeria.Data Source and Methods: A total of 82,827 births history data collected in the Nigerian Demographic Survey 2008 were analyzed. It covered periods between January 1990 and December 2007. Seasonal variation by month of birth was explored with the aid of correlogram. A classical time series trigonometric regression model was fitted to describe the pattern of seasonality.Findings: The reported monthly distribution for number of births showed a significant seasonal pattern with a peak in May and corresponding minima in November. Birth patterns differ across the regions, but in every region, births are concentrated in the first half of the year.Conclusion: Though, birth seasonality is more pronounced in the northern part of the country, there has been significant shift in the magnitude of variation in the 18 year period of study