Estimates of fertility levels in Nyeri district: Evidence from 1979 census

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate fertility levels and differentials in Nyeri District by Division. The differentials stud ied include place of residence, maritaI status and IeveI of education of mothers. Data used was from the 1979 National Population Census. FertiIity levels have been estimated at national, provincial and district levels in Kenya by applying the Coale Trussell P/F ratio method and the Gompertz Relational Model. Ferti 1ity levels by various variables have also been estimated but only at national levels due to lack of enough data. Method of data anal ys is used is the unadj usted method for calculating the Total Fertility Rate(TFR). , . The findings show that fertility is higher for women living in rural areas than for those living in urban centres,it is lowest for women with secondary plus education as compared with that of women with lower levels of education and women in married unions have highest fertility as compared to the others while single mothers have lowest fertility.The results on fertility levels show that differences in fertility levels in Kenya still persist among divisions in Nyeri District. They range between below six (Mathira,Tetu) and above six almost seven (Kieni East,Kieni West,Mukurweini and Othaya).