African Population Studies (UAPS) / Etude de la Population Africaine (UEPA)
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The Population Factor and Economic Growth and Development in Sub-Saharan African Countries
No full textBackground: The consequences of rapid population growth for development and policy options for addressing undesirable population trends remain at the core of demographic enquiry in developed and developing countries. In this paper, we re-examine the data on the particular relationship between population trends in sub-Saharan Africa and economic growth and development. We use case studies of Zambia and Botswana to demonstrate the implications of different rates of population growth in the push to eradicate different dimensions of extreme poverty and hunger.Methods: We use extensive review of published and grey literature; the search of databases of the United Nations and World Bank; and analysis of relevant secondary data. Results: The economic profile of Botswana and Zambia were similar in the late 1960s but since the early1980s, Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates, diversified its economy and ranked as the most wealthy and most stable country on the African continent.On the other hand, Zambia's economy lacked economic diversity, with heavy external indebtedness,and high levels of poverty. We show how divergent demographic indicators (fertility levels, population growth rates, and dependency ratios) for Botswana and Zambia since the 1960s offer understanding of their divergent economic trajectories over the same period. Data from 42 SSA countries show that average gender gap in primary enrolment is negatively associated with rates of population growth. Conclusions: Our analysis highlights the inevitable role of population factors in achieving key development goals and the need for interventions, such as investments in voluntary family planning, around alleviating pressures caused by rapid population growth to poverty reduction, maternal and child mortality, and women’s empowerment.
Mothers’ work, family roles and self-reported health in peri-urban Ghana and Ethiopia
No full textWe test the associations between peri-urban mothers’ paid work and reported health in Asawase, Ghana and Sebeta, Ethiopia using data from the Family Health and Wealth Study. The analytic sample is 608 and 667 mothers in Asawase and Sebeta respectively, aged 15 to 49. Dependent measures are self-rated health (SRH), self-reported health problems (SRHP), and chronic disease (CD) status. Independent variables include work/remuneration status. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are presented. Our results showed that in Asawase and Sebeta respectively, 88.3% and 80.1% of mothers had no CD; 88.3% and 91.9% reported very good/good health; 73.4% and 55.5% had no health problems. Ethiopian mothers remunerated for their work other than by cash alone reported better health, on all three outcomes compared with their non-working counterparts [CD-AOR (95%CI):1.98(1.18-3.33); SRH: 3.49(1.39-8.80); SRHP: 1.40(1.04-1.88)]. Findings from Ghana were not as clear. Investigation of women’s multiple family roles is warranted to understand pathways to better health
The contribution of demographic and health survey data to population and health policymaking: evidence from three developing countries
No full textThis paper investigates how and why DHS data were used in select health policy decision-making processes and how best the use of evidence can be supported in future. We use data from in-depth interviews with 22 professionals working in health and policy think-tanks, government agencies, foundations, survey research, and non-government organizations. We undertake a cross-case thematic analysis of the interview content and available documents to develop three case studies (Malawi, India, and Rwanda) of evidence-based policymaking. These case studies outline the way in which DHS data were used in a variety of policymaking contexts and how it facilitated policymakers’ appreciation of the scope of problems, highlighted mismatch between population health needs and service provision, supported advocacy efforts, provided concise and compelling issue framing, and catalyzed high-level political commitments. The paper presents a framework that can be used to understand the use of evidence in health policy decision-making in developing countries.
Weight abnormalities among Nigerian women: correlates and programmatic implications
No full textWhereas overweight is on the rise among women in Africa, many African women are still underweight, introducing a dual burden for the countries’ limited resources. Using data from the 2013 DHS, this paper examines this dual problem and its correlates in Nigeria. There is significant co-existence of overweight and underweight within the major socio-demographic groups. Nationally, more than twice as many women of reproductive age are overweight as are underweight (24.6 versus 11.3%). The factors positively associated with the risk of being overweight rather than having a normal weight include being ever-married, southern ethnic descent, higher education, higher wealth quintiles, prevalence of post-primary education in one’s cluster, and urban residence. Programmatic efforts in Nigeria should target underweight and overweight by encouraging people to consume more wholesome meals, providing nutritional assistance for underweight women, addressing factors that favor weight abnormalities in the built environment and engaging communities in changing unhealthy norms related to nutrition
Social networks and sexual behaviour amongst adolescent females in one secondary school in Eastern Cape, South Africa
No full textThis paper explores the impact of social network sites on the group of adolescent females’ sexual behaviour attending one secondary school in Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It aims at identifying the risks involved in online dating and deleterious effects on the psychological well-being among twelve adolescent females, aged 15 -20 years. This study adopts Spence’s Signaling Theory, Emmerson’ Sexual Exchange Theory and Ajzen and Fishbein’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) owing to their successful application in numerous studies on online communication and risky sexual behaviour. A qualitative approach was used in this study and ethical principles were adhered to, during data collection. The findings showed that dating strangers online by adolescents contributed towards being vulnerable to depression, cyberbullying, physical abuse, and sexually transmitted infections. Based on the findings, this study recommends parental emotional support and collaborative approach from the educators and government to curb online dating among female yout
Can Nigeria attain a demographic dividend?
No full textWe used a demographic-economic simulation model to explore the possibility of Nigeria obtaining a demographic dividend. The model, called, “DemDiv”, has been applied in several other sub-Saharan African countries. Four scenarios were constructed and their results compared in terms of the level of GDP and GDP per capita in the final year of the simulation. GDP in the final year (2050) is 4% higher and GDP per capita is 29% higher under a scenario in which a successful family planning program is implemented in conjunction with education and economic strategies compared to a scenario with only increases education and economic inputs. The modelling results suggest that Nigeria can enter the ranks of lower middle income economies and obtain a demographic dividend if it adopts appropriate family planning, education and economic strategies
Can Estimating Completeness of Death Registration be used as Evidence of Inaccuracy of Population Size Estimates from a Census? The Case of the 2011 South African Population Census
No full textBackground: Knowledge about the size of the population is important for planning in any population. The census is the traditional source of information about population size. Accuracy of census figures can be in doubt even when a post-enumeration survey is used to adjust census figures. Results from the three post-apartheid censuses in South Africa are controversial. South Africa has a long history of death registration. Given the controversies surrounding South Africa’s censuses, this study examines whether estimating completeness of death registration can be a tool for assessing the accuracy of the 2011 official census population estimate. Implication of inaccuracy of census figures on life expectancy at birth estimates is also examined. Data Sources and Methods: The data for the study are South Africa’s 2001 and 2011 Censuses, 2001 and 2011 Deaths registration. Estimation of completeness of death registration was based on the Growth Balance method. Findings and Conclusion: The results indicate that using the official figures, the trend in completeness of death registration is illogical largely due to over-estimation of the population size in 2011. This in turn produces over-estimation of life expectancy at birth in South Africa. It is important to get population figures as accurate as possible to avoid inefficient allocation of scarce resource
Unmet travel needs and quality of life of rural elderly in osun state, Nigeria
No full textMobility is fundamental to economic development, social inclusion and quality of life of the elderly. Available studies on mobility of the elderly in Nigeria are limited on the degree of knowledge they provide on issues such as travel demand, unmet travel needs and the impact of transport services on quality of life of the elderly in rural areas. This paper explores mobility characteristics, unmet travel needs and the impacts of travel characteristics on the quality of life of rural elderly in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were obtained using questionnaire survey through multistage sampling techniques from 273 elderly in 60 rural settlements. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. The results showed that trips generated vary across trip purposes with work trips accounting for the highest trip generated. Travel distance was found to be within 1 km distance of respondents’ residence and accounted for 76.28% total trip travel distance. Walking was the primary mode of travel for the trips to work/farm (48.36%), religious centres (85.42%) and relative (93.57%). The study also showed that 30.77% of the elderly rated their quality of life poor and another 37.36% very poor. Most of the elderly who with poor and very poor quality of life also experienced high rate of unmet travel needs. The study identified unmet travel needs include trips to: work (18.68%), hospital (24.91%), religious (24.91%), relative (11.36%) and other trips (20.14%). The reasons identified as responsible for the unfulfilled travel needs include bad roads, poor health, unreliable transport services, behavior of transport services providers, irregular transport services and issues of safety. The study concluded that the varied travel needs and challenges of the elderly can be improve through a realistic understanding of the needs, using strategies that forge partnerships between and among public and private stakeholders in the transport sectors.
Family type and ethnic differences in lifetime fertility in selected West African Countries
No full textThis study examines the effect of family type and ethnic differences in lifetime fertility in three selected West African countries. Using the Demographic and Health Survey datasets of a weighted sample of 10,324 ever married women in Burkina Faso(2010), 5,099 in the Gambia(2013) and 20,014 in Nigeria(2013), the mean children ever born was higher among Gourmatch ethnic group in Burkina Faso (4.45), Fula in Gambia (4.05) and Hausa/Fulani in Nigeria (4.68). Further analysis using Poisson Regression showed that lifetime fertility was significantly higher by 29% among the polygynous family in Burkina Faso, 46% in Gambia and 25% in Nigeria than among the monogamous family. Age at marriage, age at first birth, wealth status and educational attainment of women were significantly associated with lifetime fertility. Findings suggest that lifetime fertility will reduce if pro-natalists’ attitude, poverty, age at first marriage and age at first birth could be properly addressed
Estimating regional variations in adult mortality in Zambia
No full textBackground: A dearth of regional level adult mortality estimates exists in Zambia. Regional adult mortality rates reflect inequalities in socioeconomic conditions and health service provision. Adult mortality rates are useful indicators for monitoring effectiveness and impact of health interventions (HIV/AIDS antiretroviral therapy (ART), tuberculosis (TB) and malaria) at regional level. Previous studies have not produced adult mortality rates at regional level. Data Source and Methods: Using data from the 2010 census, this study estimated adult mortality rates at regional level for age group 15-59 years. Age-specific mortality rates (ASMRs), cause-specific mortality rates (CSMRs), standardised mortality rates (SMRS) and probabilities of dying between age 15 and 60 years (45q15) were computed. Correlations with HIV prevalence and literacy rates, and mortality rates were also computed.Findings: Adult mortality rates varied across all provinces. The 45q15 was highest for males in Western province, 59 % and lowest in North-western province, 36.7 %. For females, 45q15 was highest in Copperbelt province, 47.9 % and lowest in North-western province, 34.8 %.Conclusion: HIV prevalence and literacy rates were positively correlated with regional adult mortality rates. Health policies and programmes aimed at reducing adult mortality should, therefore, be tailored to recognise the regional variations in mortality rate