Urban-rural fertility differentials :a case study in Nairob and Central province

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to establish whether or not an urban-rural fertility differential exists between Nairobi and Central Province. The study also aimed at identifying the various socio-economic and demographic factors that have brought about this fertility differential. It; was hypothesized that the observed differences in the reproductive behaviour of women in Nairobi and Central Province was due the variant influence exerted on fertility by the socio-economic and demographic variables. The study revealed that a destined urban-rural fertility differential exists between Nairobi are Central Province. A fertility differential ranging from 33.3% to 59.6% was observed. The socio-economic variables were for to be having an inhibiting effect on fertility in both Nairobi and Central Province. The correlation between fertility and the socio-economic variables il)Nairobi (r. - 0:43) was higher than that of Central Province (.'.- 0.308). In Nairobi, the socio-economic variables were explaining l8.5~ of the total variation of the present fertility, while, in Central Province they were explaining only 9.5%. In Nairobi, a multiple correlation showing the relationship between fertility and the demographic variables was R • 0.81 while in Central Province it was R - 0.747. Both of these correlations were found to be statistically significant at 99.% significance level. In Nairobi, these variables explained 65.6~ of the total variation of fertility while in Central Province they explained difference in age at marriage between the tallied areas were found to be instrumental in explaining the variant influence rated 011. fertility by the demographic variables. The simple correlation between age at marriage and fertility in Nairobi was r- - 0.59 while- in Central Province it was r- - 0.42. Age at marriage was explaining of the total variation of fertility in Nairobi while in Central Province it was explaining recommendation that arises from this study is that in order to reduce the gap between urban and rural fertility differentials the plan of action must integrate both the socio- -economic and the demographic factors. If a reduction in fertility is to be experienced in the rural areas, the plan of action should aim at increasing both the educational levels of the married females and household incomes as well as delaying the age at marriage for the females.