Examination of the Levels and Determinant Factors of Fertility and Contraceptive use in Northwest Ethiopia: With Special Reference to the Application of the Bongaarts’ Model
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Date
2009-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Nearly two million people are added to the population of
Ethiopia each year. It is the second most populous country in Africa (next to
Nigeria) and usually quoted as one of the demographic giants on the African
continent. It has now become clear that uncontrolled fertility has adversely
influenced the socio-economic, demographic and environmental situations of
Ethiopia. Rapid population growth has hampered its development making the
eradication of extreme poverty and hunger difficult. The country has experienced
many man made and natural disasters. This undesirable situation is further
aggravated by rapid population growth. In spite of the rapid population growth in
Ethiopia in General and in the Amhara region (especially in the two Gondar
Zones) in particular the contraceptive prevalence rates are reported to be low.
Objectives: A number of distinct objectives that addressed several issues
which ultimately led to the examination of fertility and the use of family planning
methods were employed. Efforts were made to estimate the fertility rates and
quantify the contribution of each of the proximate determinants of fertility that
bring fertility below its biological maximum in North and South Gondar Zones of
Northwest Ethiopia. It was also aimed at identifying the factors influencing fertility
and investigating the perception of the study subjects towards rapid population
growth. Moreover, efforts were made to closely explore the current practices and
future intentions of the study subjects towards contraception.
Methods: The study had two components. The first one was a quantitative
study which involved 3512 women aged 15 to 49 years. The second component
was a qualitative study which consisted of five focus group discussions and ten
key informant interviews
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Philosophy