Regional fertility variations in Kenya

Abstract

This study is based on the Kenya Fertility Survey of 1977/78 which was carried out as part of the World Fertility Survey by the Kenyan Central Bureau of Statistics. The study had four primary objectives. First, to examine regional fertility variations in the mean number of children ever born in Kenya by five broad regions; namely Nairobi, Central/Rift valley, Coast, Nyanza/'Western and Eastern according to selected intermediate and socio-economic variables. Secondly, to examine whether fertility in Kenya would be lower in regions that are not mainly agricultural, which include, Nairobi and the Coast. Thirdly, to test the validity of any existing differentials, and to explore the factors generating such differences and the mechanisms through which these factors operate. And fourthly, to investigate the main factors that have been outlined in previous studies to be responsible for the relatively low fertility in the Coast. Fertility differentials were examined in terms of selected proximate and socio-economic factors of ever married women in five broad regions. The study also has built up "Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA)" models for the national sample and separately for the different broad regions. The descriptive analysis revealed that regional fertility variations in Kenya are limited. However, the Coast has relatively lower fertility compared to other regions. Mean number of children ever born is higher in Central/Rift Valley and Nyanza/Western regions. The MCA showed that age at first marriage is the most important factor affecting fertility in Kenya.