Factors Influencing Family Size Preferences among Residents of Assela Town,Oromia Regional State.
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Date
2013-06
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background
Ethiopia, like most Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, is experiencing rapid population growth.
The rapid growth prevents national development effort and affects maternal and child health.
Moreover, the desire to realize the issues pertaining to small family size and harmonize the rate
of population growth with socio-economic development in order to reach a high level of
welfare can be achieved, if factors which affect family size are well identified. Different
factors influence family size at different levels in different Societies. This Study assessed
factors affecting family size preferences in Assela town where data was not available in this
regard.
Objective: To determine desired family size and identify factors influencing family size
among residents of Assela town, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia.
Methodology: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study was conducted in Assela town,
between March 25 and April 4, 2013. The town has 14 kebeles out of which 5 kebeles were
selected randomly. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study subjects. Sample
size required for this study was calculated based on two population proportion comparison
formula and with 100% response rate a total of 214 couples were included in the study. The
age of women ranged from 15 to 49 years and men above15 years. Data was collected after
information was provided and informed consent was obtained. Similar questions were posed to
the couples’ simultaneously but in separate locations and at distance they couldn’t hear each
other. The quality of data was controlled at different levels. The desired family size was
determined using mean score. Respondents were asked to determine which factors were
influential on their desired family size. Multiple linear regressions were used to see
relationship between influential factors and desired family size. Associations of variables were
tested by using 95% confidence interval (C.I) and regression coefficient.
Results: Mean desired family size for the study population was 3.8.Mean desired family size
for men and women were 4.1 and 3.5 respectively. The factors which had got higher magnitude
and rank included household income, sex preference and psychological factors.
Conclusion: It is quite possible that increasing educational level and age at marriage might
influence couples to desire lower family size. It is possible that child sex preference and
psychological factors might influence couples to desire higher family size.
Description
Keywords
Family size,population growth.