The estimation of adult mortality differentials in Kenya using a life table technique

Abstract

In this study, the Horiuchi and Bennett (1981) technique is used to study the quality of the data on the number of registered deaths. The Preston and Bennett (1983), and the Bennett and Horiuchi (1982) techniques are then used to draw the life tables for Kenya at the National and District levels. From the study, it has been found out that in most districts: (i) the data on the number of registered deaths is incomplete and the incompleteness is higher for females than for males. (ii) the life expectancy estimates for males are higher than the estimates for females in some districts. (iii) for both males and females, the life expectancy estimates at age 5 are higher than those at age 0. (iv) the life expectancy estimates were not similar in most districts and so there exist inter-district adult mortality differentials in Kenya. Using the age specific growth rates computed / it was found out that the Kenya population by the year 2000 will comprise 15,677,549 males and 16,614,208 females, or the total population of Kenya will be 32,291,757