1 |
Author(s):
Emmanuel C. Onwuka.
Page No : 1-15
|
Another Look at the Impact of Nigeria’s Growing Population on the Country’s Development
Abstract
This paper is a contribution to the debate about the impact of Nigeria’s growing
population on the country’s development. With a population that already exceeds 130
million people and growing at roughly 3 per cent annually, a considerable proportion
of the nation’s resources are consumed instead of accumulated for development
purposes. In effect, the paper empirically tests the association between population
growth and economic development in Nigeria between 1980 and 2003 and found that
growth in population outweighs that of output and this has hindered the capacity of
successive governments to efficiently provide social services to the people, thereby
negatively affecting development. Our contention, therefore, is that curbs on
population growth through appropriate policies that would integrate the country’s
population programmers into the mainstream development efforts are necessary. That
way, higher per capita consumption of social services by the citizens would be
facilitated and which ultimately would boost their access to the benefits of
development.
2 |
Author(s):
Monica Ferreira, Paul Kowal .
Page No : 19-35
|
A Minimum Data Set on Ageing and Older Persons in Sub-Saharan Africa: Process and Outcome
Abstract
Relatively scant knowledge is available on the situations of older persons in sub-Saharan
Africa. Reliable and accessible demographic and health statistics are needed to inform
policy making for the older population. The process and outcome of a project to create a
minimum data set (MDS) on ageing and older persons to provide an evidence base to
inform policy are described. The project was initiated by the World Health Organization
and conducted in Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. A set of indicators was
established to constitute a sub-regional MDS, populated from data sources in the four
countries; a national MDS was produced for each country. Major gaps and deficiencies
were identified in the available data and difficulties were experienced in accessing data.
Specific gaps, and constraints against the production and access of quality data in the subregion are examined. The project and outcome are evaluated and lessons are drawn. Tasks
for future phases of the project to complete and maintain the MDS are outlined.
Key words: Sub-Saharan Africa, ageing, older persons, minimum data set,
demographic and health indicators, policy
3 |
Author(s):
Francis Obare, Alfred Agwanda, Monica Magadi.
Page No : 37-54
|
Gender-Role Attitudes and Reproductive Health Communication among Female Adolescents in South Nyanza, Kenya
Abstract
In this paper, we use data from three districts of Nyanza Province in Kenya to examine
gender-role attitudes and reproductive health communication among adolescent
females aged 12-19 years. We test for differences in gender-role attitudes between
younger (12-15) and older (16-19) adolescents. We explore the possible association
between educational attainment and gender-role attitudes by estimating a random-
effects model. We also examine the association between gender-role attitudes and
reproductive health communication via an unordered multinomial logit model. The
results show that adolescent females in this setting hold conservative views on decision
making within the home and at the same time portray less conservative views
concerning marriage and reproductive behaviour. We also find some differences by age
regarding gender-role attitudes and reproductive health communication. Our findings
further indicate that educational attainment is significantly associated with gender-role
attitudes, which in turn are significantly associated with reproductive health
commun ication.
4 |
Author(s):
Patrick A. Edewor.
Page No : 55-70
|
Changing Perceptions of the Value of Daughters and Girls’ Education among the Isoko of Nigeria
Abstract
This paper examines the changes in parents’ perception on the value of daughters and their
education. It utilizes information generated from Focus Group Discussions in two urban
and four rural Isoko communities in Delta State, southern Nigeria. Eight Focus Groups
were constituted in each of the towns and villages (four for men and four for women). The
groups were homogeneous in terms of sex, age and educational level. It is observed that
parents’ perception on the value of daughters is changing because adult daughters have been
found to be more caring and more supportive of aged parents than adult sons. Consequently,
parents now consider the education of daughters as very rewarding since educated
daughters become better equipped to provide support to their parents. The changing
attitudinal disposition towards girls’ education has implication for the enhancement of
women’s status and fertility decline.
Key Words: Changing perceptions, value of daughters, girls’ education,
women’s status, fertility, Isoko, Nigeria
5 |
Author(s):
Thando D. Gwebu .
Page No : 71-90
|
Intra-Rural Fertility Determinants in Zimbabwe: A Path Analysis
Abstract
Studies on spatial fertility differentials in sub-Sahara Africa normally treat the rural sector as a
single and uniform geographical entity. This approach, unfortunately, tends to mask differences,
which may exist between components of the rural sub-sectors. This empirical study, based on both
quantitative analyses and participatory methodologies, has stratified one rural district in southwestern Zimbabwe, into communal lands and resettlement schemes, in order to investigate the
fertility differentials at intra-rural levels. The working hypothesis is that because the respective
rural sub-areas differ in their levels of socioeconomic development, the relative impacts of the
determinants of fertility should reflect these differences. Data on fertility patterns and their
correlates were extracted from 1,542 married mothers, within the ages of 15-49, in the rural
district. 832 of these were from the resettlement areas and 710 were selected from communal
lands. Results from a descriptive bivariate model confirmed that resettlement areas have higher
fertility than the communal lands. The present study utilizes path analysis, which is considered
appropriate for investigating the direct and indirect causes of fertility differentials. It is shown
that direct and indirect effects on fertility do not always operate uniformly between the two rural
sub-sectors. On the basis of the findings, conclusions and recommendations are drawn.
6 |
Author(s):
Ezebunwa E. Nwokocha, Ph.D .
Page No : 93-117
|
Pregnancy Outcomes Among The Ibani Of Rivers State, Nigeria: Findings From Case-Studies
Abstract
The prevalence of high maternal and infant morbidity/mortality among the Ibani
of Rivers State, Nigeria, is linked to socio-cultural factors that influence
perceptions, attitudes and practices of the people with regard to pregnancy. This
study investigates the factors affecting pregnancy outcomes among the Ibani by
examining 19 cases identified through Exit-interviews (EIs). Findings indicate
that pregnancy outcomes depend on the interaction of complex variables such as
male role, socioeconomic status of women, child spacing, access and use of
maternal health facilities, among others. The results show that there are 4
principal types of pregnancy outcomes among the Ibani, which include: Type-1
representing maternal and infant survival; Type-2 which is synonymous with
maternal survival but infant mortality; Type-3 or spontaneous abortion; and
Type-4 which represents maternal mortality but infant survival. The findings
suggest that multiple social, cultural and ideological factors condition behaviours
among the Ibani and that pregnancy
7 |
Author(s):
Stephen O. Kwankye.
Page No : 119-150
|
Female Adolescents And Reproductive Change In Ghana: Evidence From An Adolescent Survey Of Two Communities
Abstract
The study on Female Adolescent Reproductive Change was undertaken as part of the ongoing
effort at understanding some of the problems that confront adolescents in Ghana. The study
uses a sample of 1,828 female adolescents aged 12-24 years (1,503 from Cape Coast and 325
from Mankrong) in the Central Region of Ghana as a case study. This has the primary
purpose of comparing the situation in an urban vis-à-vis a rural area. The general objective of
the study is to examine the possible changes in the reproduction among female adolescents
within the context of overall fertility decline in Ghana as a way of assessing the progress
made in addressing adolescent reproductive health problems following the adoption of a
national adolescent reproductive health policy in Ghana. The study examines age at first sex,
first marriage, first pregnancy and first birth as a way of finding out any changes that might
have occurred in the recent past. It also looks at issues pertaining to pregnancy incidence and
wastage as may be related to school attendance. Throughout, comparisons are made with
reports from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS) and other small-scale
studies that have been done in certain areas in Ghana. Overall, the study finds that major
positive changes have occurred among female adolescents first with respect to the proportion
of female adolescents ever having sexual activity. More and more female adolescents continue
to abstain from sex. However, among the small proportion that ever indulges in sex, sexual
initiation appears to be earlier when age is controlled for.