Hiv/aids and Fertility Patterns in Kenya
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of HIV/AIDS on fertility
patterns among women of reproductive age (15-49) years. The study considered the effect of
HIV/AIDS perceived risk of infection and its prevalence rate on fertility patterns as measured
in terms of the number of children ever born, ideal number of children and desire for more
children. The study also considered the effect of selected key fertility determinants on
HIV/AIDS perceived risk of infection.
The study utilized the 1998 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) data. which was
a national survey. Of great importance here was the women's questionnaire that the survey
used to collect information on women. Also the study used the 1999 T-I1V-sentinel surveillance
data on prevalence rates as compiled by ational AIDS and STls Control Programme
ASCOP) basing on H[V test results of women clinic attendants from various sites in
selected districts in Kenya. The two data sets were merged far the 16 selected districts
considered in both cases.
To analyse the data, multiple linear and logistic regression were used for an in-depth analysis
of the impact of key fertility determinants, contraceptive use and HIV/AIDS perceived risk of
infection on fertility patterns. In the case of prevalence rate. simple cross-tabulations were
used to establish possible differences in fertility patterns by zonal prevalence categories.
Cross-tabulations were also employed to gauge the effect of key fertility determinants on
HfV/AIDS perceived risk of infection. In analysing the effect of the key fertility determinants
Sponsorhip
The University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi Population studies and research Institute