| dc.description.abstract | Fertility has declined throughout the world over the years and this decline is evident in all
socioeconomic and demographic levels. Despite this decline, fertility levels in SSA are still
high compared to other regions. In Kenya total fertility rate declined from 8.1 children in
1979 to 4.6 children in 2008/9. On the other hand desired family size declined from 4.4
children in 1989 to 3.8 children in 2008/9. The difference in this two fertility measures has
resulted in excess fertility; an indication that women in Kenya are having more children than
desired. For successful management of the population in Kenya, fertility decline is key.
Understanding the determinants of excess fertility will therefore inform programmatic and
policy efforts towards fertility reduction.
This study used 2008/9 data to analyse the determinants of excess fertility among women of
reproductive age in Kenya. The sample constituted 3,216 women of reproductive age. Of
these, 35 percent had less than expected fertility, 34 percent had achieved their desired
fertility while 31 percent had excess fertility. The multivariate results showed that women
who were using modern contraceptive, who had not experienced child mortality and those
with secondary or higher educational achievement had less likely to have excess fertility
compared to women who were not using contraceptive, who had experienced child
mortality or who had no education, respectively.
Therefore, increasing women’s education level, increasing modern contraceptive use and
reducing child mortality can go a long way in reducing excess fertility in Kenya and hence
contribute to the goal of fertility reduction. | en_US |
