Edwin Mushipe | Mulungushi University (original) (raw)
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Thesis Chapters by Edwin Mushipe
Fertility rate in its general economic sense refers to the number of frequent live births of chi... more Fertility rate in its general economic sense refers to the number of frequent live births of children among
women in a population.Total fertility rate in other terms represents the number of children that would be
born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance
with current age-specific fertility rates. Fertility can also be said to be one of the major dynamics of
population growth. According to the data from the 2000 census, the total fertility rate was 6.0. This means
that on average, a woman in Zambia at the beginning of her childbearing years will give birth to 6.0
children by the end of her reproductive period if current fertility levels remained constant.
Kabwe is a Capital and District of the Central province of Zambia. Kabwe is a second largest city in
Zambia located about 130 Km north of the Nation’s Capital City Lusaka. In terms of geographical
location Kabwe’s Latitude is 14o 27’ 50” S and with a Longitude of 28o 26o 55” E. Kabwe is also a
headquarters of Zambia Railways and has a huge history of Zambia’s Politics. At 2010 census population,
Kabwe has a population of 202, 914, with a 16% share of the central province population (1,267,803)
This research study analyses the impact of female literacy (education level) on fertility rate. A scholarly
mind implies that the level of female literacy (education) impacts on the number of children desired by a
woman and that high fertility could be the result of low female literacy (education) levels otherwise there
could be other underlying factors which could have a strong causal relationship with problem of high
fertility levels.
This research was purely based on primary data and the primary data was collected through the use of
questionnaires and administered with a face to face interview. In this research study, the target population
from which the respondents were selected are women who either were the head of the household (HHH)
or the spouse of the head of the household (SHHH) in Kabwe town.
A regression model was also developed in which total fertility rate was regressed against the level of
education, occupation and age. Among these factors the woman’s age was found to be the major
determinant of fertility. There were also other factors that influence total fertility rate and these where;
age at first pregnancy, age at first marriage, husband’s level of education, and area of residence. However
these factors were found to play an insignificant role thus were not found to be the major determinants of
fertility.
The study recommended the following measures:
A more focus on sensitization girls and women on the vitality of female education and the promotion of
free education from primary to higher level education as these have been seen to be a greatest challenge
for the parents taking their girl children to school. This in turn can increase the chances of women finding
employment and raising their opportunity cost of raising children thus lower fertility. Educating girls on
reproductive health matters. There should be an increase in job opportunities for women hence increasing
the number of women working either in self employment or formal employment and reducing on women
who are housewives so that they can engage in productive economic activities. There should be
Sensitization on the importance of family planning use and the implications of higher fertility towards the
religious groups. There should be an improved and efficient service provision of family planning services
by the health institutions towards the end users.
Fertility rate in its general economic sense refers to the number of frequent live births of chi... more Fertility rate in its general economic sense refers to the number of frequent live births of children among
women in a population.Total fertility rate in other terms represents the number of children that would be
born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance
with current age-specific fertility rates. Fertility can also be said to be one of the major dynamics of
population growth. According to the data from the 2000 census, the total fertility rate was 6.0. This means
that on average, a woman in Zambia at the beginning of her childbearing years will give birth to 6.0
children by the end of her reproductive period if current fertility levels remained constant.
Kabwe is a Capital and District of the Central province of Zambia. Kabwe is a second largest city in
Zambia located about 130 Km north of the Nation’s Capital City Lusaka. In terms of geographical
location Kabwe’s Latitude is 14o 27’ 50” S and with a Longitude of 28o 26o 55” E. Kabwe is also a
headquarters of Zambia Railways and has a huge history of Zambia’s Politics. At 2010 census population,
Kabwe has a population of 202, 914, with a 16% share of the central province population (1,267,803)
This research study analyses the impact of female literacy (education level) on fertility rate. A scholarly
mind implies that the level of female literacy (education) impacts on the number of children desired by a
woman and that high fertility could be the result of low female literacy (education) levels otherwise there
could be other underlying factors which could have a strong causal relationship with problem of high
fertility levels.
This research was purely based on primary data and the primary data was collected through the use of
questionnaires and administered with a face to face interview. In this research study, the target population
from which the respondents were selected are women who either were the head of the household (HHH)
or the spouse of the head of the household (SHHH) in Kabwe town.
A regression model was also developed in which total fertility rate was regressed against the level of
education, occupation and age. Among these factors the woman’s age was found to be the major
determinant of fertility. There were also other factors that influence total fertility rate and these where;
age at first pregnancy, age at first marriage, husband’s level of education, and area of residence. However
these factors were found to play an insignificant role thus were not found to be the major determinants of
fertility.
The study recommended the following measures:
A more focus on sensitization girls and women on the vitality of female education and the promotion of
free education from primary to higher level education as these have been seen to be a greatest challenge
for the parents taking their girl children to school. This in turn can increase the chances of women finding
employment and raising their opportunity cost of raising children thus lower fertility. Educating girls on
reproductive health matters. There should be an increase in job opportunities for women hence increasing
the number of women working either in self employment or formal employment and reducing on women
who are housewives so that they can engage in productive economic activities. There should be
Sensitization on the importance of family planning use and the implications of higher fertility towards the
religious groups. There should be an improved and efficient service provision of family planning services
by the health institutions towards the end users.