Determinants Of Fertility Among The Poor Women In Kenya

Abstract

The objective was to determine the differentials and determinants of fertility among poor. Very few studies have focused on studying fertility among poor women in Kenya. The study used descriptive statistics to establish differentials in fertility among poor women of Kenya. Generalized linear model was used to establish factors associated with differentials of fertility and multiple linear regression was used to establish determinants of fertility. The results revealed that age, age at first birth, age at first marriage, education level and region of a poor woman, were all significant and strongly associated children ever born. However the place of residence and current contraceptive use were all found not to be significantly associated with fertility. Analysis by multiple linear regression found that age, age at first birth and age at first marriage were each statistically significant and the most important factors influencing children ever born among the poor women of Kenya. However, education was less important but statistically significant. The study recommends in-depth studies to establish why education, it‟s not one of the major contributing factor determining fertility of the poor women in Kenya. It also recommends for conducting of longitudinal studies to understand fertility change over time.