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pubmed:abstractText |
In order to study current fertility conditions, this study examines the sociocultural, economic, and demographic characteristics of 734 women aged 15-55 in the Gondar administrative region of northwestern Ethiopia. Women over age 45 in the sample were found to have, on average, 7.27 pregnancies, 0.88 abortions, 6.39 children ever-born, 1.51 child deaths, and 4.88 live offspring. The total infertility rate was 8.5 percent, and the subfertility rate was 12.7 percent. Fertility levels in the region were relatively high, compared to other developing countries. Contraceptive use was estimated at 3.6 per 1,000 women (for ages 15-49). The need for more effective family planning services is strongly indicated. The study suggests that, among other goals, policy efforts should focus on the reduction of unintended conception and unwanted fertility.
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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: The demographic, economic, and sociocultural characteristics of 734 women aged 15-55 in the Gondar region of northwestern Ethiopia were examined. Fertility conditions are looked at, as is family planning. The data came from a survey, done in 1982, on the sociocultural determinants of fertility in the region. A questionnaire was the main method of data gathering. Simple cluster randomization was the sampling procedure. Most (98.6%) had married at least once; 37.1% twice; 14.2% 3 times; and 7.4% 4 or more times. On the whole, women who have had 7-12 years of education had an average of 1.79 fewer children born than those who attended school for 1 to 6 years or were illiterate. Younger women had fewer children ever-born. The mean number of ever-born and ever-died children was slightly inversely related to income. 91% of the respondents belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. 7% are Muslim; 1.6% Jewish; 0.2% Roman Catholic; and 0.2% Seventh Day Adventist. On the whole, respondents reported an average of 4.25 pregnancies; 0.45 abortions; 3.8% children ever-born; 0.61 children ever-died; and 3.19 surviving children. Contraception is well known, but not widely used. 78.7% of the contraceptive nonusers, and 47.1% of the contraceptive users reported that their last pregnancy was wanted. The mean age at 1st marriage here was 14.49 years, lower than those other countries. If it is assumed that women over 45 years of age have completed their fertility, they would have an average of 7.27 pregnancies; 0.88 abortions; 6.39 live births; 1.51 child deaths; and an average of 4.88 live offspring. There is a need for more effective family planning services.
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