Household Structure, Formation and Dissolution in Rusinga Island

Abstract

The objective of the study was to explore household structure, formation and dissolution in in Rusinga Island. The specific objectives were to describe the household structure and typology in Rusinga, determine rate of dissolution and characteristics of dissolved households, to determine the proportion of new households and their characteristics and finally to explore the factors leading to formation and dissolution of households. The study used data from Rusinga DSS collected between 2001 and 2007 covering the entire Island. Data was analysed using descriptive frequencies to determine the mean household size, the smallest and largest household sizes and the distribution of households in the Island. Cross tabs were used to establish the typology, proportions of new and dissolved households, to explore the characteristics of the households formed and dissolved and to explore factors responsible for the formation and dissolution of households in the area. The population of the Island is 25,322 and there are 5,943 households. This study shows that the average household size in Rusinga is 4.1 and the size varies between 1 and 14. The size of households has reduced over the years. The initial survey established the largest household as having 14 members while in the latest survey of new households formed after the initial survey the largest was the 12 member household. The male headed households account for more than 50%. Only less than 1% of the households are headed by. children. Solitary living in the Island is not common, it accounts for only 10.5% of households in the Island. Migration is the leading cause of both household formation and dissolution.