The Proximate Determinants of Fertility in Shashemene
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Date
1992-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study attempted to show that the spatial variation in the total fertility rate
In the town of Shashemene was largely due to the variation in the proximate
determinants of fertility (marriage, contraception and post-partum amenorrhoea)
based on primary data generated through a sample survey of women in their
childbearing ages (15-49 years).
From a preliminary analysis of the data, a clear spatial differential in ethnic
and religious affiliations as well as educational attainment and type of employment
was obtained using an index of residential dissimilarity.
Before the detailed analysis was made, however, the data were examined for
consistency using available demographic techniques. Then, both bi-variate and
multivariate statistical techniques were applied in the analysis of the data. Principal
components analysis was employed to identify the spatial pattern of the proximate
determinants and the socio-cultural variables. Multiple regression analysis was made
to examine the ,~ffect of the proximate variables on the total fertility rate. Finally,
the Bongaarts model was used to evaluate the relative imporlance of each of the
proximate variables to explain differentials of fertility in the town and to examine the
applicability of the model to the Shashemene data.
The research found out that the variation in the proximate determinants of
fertility was mainly due to the variation in the socio-cultural variables among
Kebeles. Based on the spatial differentials of these variables, the study identified
some favorable and unfavorable conditions for high fertility in each Kebele.
Marriage and post-parium amenorrhoea were identified as the most important
proximate variables for fertility differentials among Kebeles in Shashemene. The
effect of contraception on total fertility rate was found to be very smalL It was also
found out that the Bongaarts model has fitt ed the data in most Kebeles of the town.
Finally, the study suggested some population policy options that would serve as a
stepping-stone for future detailed researches.
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Keywords
Fertility in Shashemene