Fertility levels, differentials and patterns in the Gambia : an analysis based on 1973 census

Abstract

This thesis presents the findings of a detailed fertility analysis for the Gambia and its sub-groups. It has attempted to examine the plausibility and robustness of some indirect fertility techniques and models for the country's fertility data. Due to the fact that the Gambia has relied on stable population analysis as the only possible means to estimate its fertility until the P/F ratio method originally proposed by Brass (1964) was applied to the 1973 census data, the necessity of investigating the robustness of the other indirect techniques when applied to the census data becomes evident. Further efforts to reveal the existing fertility differentials and patterns have also been incorporated. The main limitation of the present study arise from the paucity of data which limits efforts to explain the possible causes of fertility differentials and patterns within the country's population. However, some striking differences in fertility levels and structures have been noted between the sub-groups being reviewed. The fertility patterns have also indicated that most child-bearing activity occurs in the younger age groups of women under 30 years. It should be noted that even with a sound knowledge of the country, the sparse data of the 1973 census still leave some important questions to be answered. There is an urgent need to conduct a national fertility survey to substantiate the findings of national censuses. Show more