Effects of socioeconomic factors on fertility in Kenya

Abstract

The study was aimed at investigating the influence of a number of socioeconomic factors on fertility in Kenya. It specifically examined the effect of level of education, wealth status, type and region of residence, and work status on children ever born. Control factors included in the study were Age, Religion, Ethnicity, Type of Marriage, Duration of Marriage and Contraceptive use. The study was conceptualized using the Bongaar'ts framework on fertility. The study used data drawn from Kenya demographic and health survey (KDHS) of 2003. Descriptive statistics, binary regression and multiple regression analysis were the main methods of analysis used in this study. The findings show that age at marriage and woman's education are apparently the most important determinants of fertility. It was also found out that some variables, specifically; type and region of residence wealth index and work status were significantly associated with the number of children ever born. Contrary to expectations, the study found out that ever use of contraceptives was significantly associated with high fertility. Policies aimed at achieving reduced fertility in Kenya should be directed at improving women socioeconomic status especially in education. Implementation and enforcement of the children's Act 2001 is recommended as it is likely to curb early marriages associated with high fertility, leading to reduced fertility