Determinants Of High Fertility Status Among Married Women In Lake Zone: A Case Of Sengerema District

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the determinants of high fertility status among married women in Lake zone, taking Sengerema district as a case study. Specifically, the study intended to identify socio – economic and demographic determinants that influence high fertility status of married women, to explore intermediate determinants that influence high fertility status of married women and to assess the perception of different social groups towards rapid population growth. The research design adopted was a cross-sectional descriptive survey and a sample size of 90 (married women) and few husbands, government and religious leaders were selected. The selection techniques of married women used were purposive sampling and stratified random sampling. Data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study uncovered seven main determinants for the high fertility among married women in the study area. These were; the age at marriage, educational status, occupation status, economic status, household – head, religion, and mass media. These factors were socio – economic and demographic oriented. In most cases, actually the determinants came from the inside of the women themselves. The study further has revealed that over 90% of women who participated in the quantitative study and nearly all of the focus group discussants and interviewees felt that something should be done to keep the population from growing too fast. The study recommends that, the government should continue with its effort to improve the infrastructures as a means to support, not only married women but also other stakeholders, in engaging in family welfare activities. The government and other stakeholders are also requested to provide capacity building programmes to married women through training and seminars, on the proper and recommended fertility in order to empower them.