SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS, CONJUGAL RELATIONS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN URBAN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The relationship between contraceptive use and fertility has been well documented in demographic and related literature. Since Davis and Blake identified this factor as one of the intermediate determinants of fertility, many studies based on aggregate and individual-level data have confirmed the prominent role played by contraception in determining the level of fertility. Indeed, it is through contraception that an increasing number of women all over the world are achieving the desired interval between births and successfully limiting the number of their offspring.

MIGRATION DIFFERENTIALS AMONG NIGERIAN PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

According to the free market model of population mobility, differences in the reward structure operate to draw workers from less rewarding to more rewarding work activities and places; changes in this structure are therefore likely to affect occupational and geographical mobility. During the 1970s Nigeria experienced a tremendous economic expansion owing to the oil boom. This led to accelerated demand for professionals throughout the economy. During the same period the creation of more states spread economic activities throughout the country and effected the relocation of professionals. Studies have documented the fact that professionals earn more than other groups of workers in Nigeria. But what perhaps has not yet been adequately studied is the geographic movement of these professionals in response to changing economic conditions. For instance, how extensive has been their movement from the public to the private sector, or between States? What factors explain the differentials among various professional groups? Which are characterized by long-distance movement and which are not?

CAMEROUN : DE L’ENCOURAGEMENT DES NAISSANCES A LA MAITRISE DE LA FECONDITE CAUSES ET CONSEQUENCES DE L’EVOLUTION OBSERVEE

Abstract

Le Cameroun, comme la plupart des pays d’Afrique noire, connait une situation demographique qui, sans etre pour le moment dramatique, n ’en inquiete pas moins les autorites gouvernementales de ce pays. En effet, le taux d ’accroissement naturel y etait estime a 2,92% en moyenne par an en 1987 (resultat provisoire du 2kme recensement de la population, qui a eu lieu a cette date). Cette forte croissance demographique est le resultat d’une natalite elevee et constante (43,4 pour mille en 1987) et d’une mortalite plus faible et en baisse (14 pour mille en 1987). Le taux d’accroissement a connu une evolution vers la hausse puisqu’il etait de 2,2% dans les annees 60. Cette evolution risque de se poursuivre si les tendances actuelles de la mortalite et de la natalite se maintiennent.

SPOUSES’ SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN KINSHASA, ZAIRE

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of spouses’ education, fertility desires, and marital characteristics on contraceptive use in Kinshasa, Zaire. The results reveal that, while family planning services focus their activities exclusively on women, husbands’ education and fertility desire are very important in explaining the use of birth control in marriage. This male role is crucial in understanding fertility patterns in Africa, where the major familial decisions are made by the husband. The persistence of high fertility in Africa despite the implementation of family planning has defied both researchers and organizations concerned about the growth of population (Ezeh, 1992). While prior studies attributed low rates of contraceptive use to a lack of information among potential users (Uche, 1972), current data suggest that knowledge is not a determinate factor of birth control (Blanc and Croft, 1992). Instead, in some cases increases in knowledge about and practice of modern contraception have been accompanied by a rise in fertility and natural increase (Dow and Werner, 1981). As with any other innovation, the success of birth control depends on the identification of social units intervening in decisions on material reproduction, for cultural effects operate through those channels. But as of now there is no agreement about which unit to consider in studies on contraceptive use in Africa, probably because of the theoretical predominance of the Western model of the family. For some scholars, husband and wife belong to the lineages of their families of origin and should be treated separately (Lesthaeghe, 1989; Marshall, 1970). Others locate the reproductive decision with the dominate spouse’s family, away from the biological parents (Caldwell, 1983). We believe, however, that each of these social units