The role of women’s socio- economic status on fertility: the case of Magharibi district, Zanzibar

In this study an attempt has been made to study the effect of occupation and education status of women on fertility. The effect of women’s education on contraceptive use has also been examined. Data were collected from 245 women aged 15-49 years who have given birth to at least one child in two Shehias of Magharibi District. The objective of the study was to find out how the role of socio-economic status (education and occupation) influences fertility in Magharibi District, Unguja. The statement of the problem aims at estimating fertility levels at Magharibi district in Zanzibar and to look for the relationships of women’s socio-economic status on the observed fertility levels., The estimation of fertility will facilitate evidence of their levels; and studies on women’s characteristics (e.g. education, income, employment...) will facilitate observing relationships with their observed fertility performance. Results after analysis revealed that education of women is effective in decreasing number of children ever born which in turn reduces fertility. From the findings it can be argued that, as level of education increases among women fertility level decreases. On one side it can be argued that, the increase in education level among women did not justify increase of modern contraceptive use even though more educated women have higher level of awareness of contraceptive use technology. The results also showed that, there is significant association between employment status (employed and self-employed) and number of children ever born by a woman. This shows that the number of children a woman has does depend on type of work she has. The findings showed that the number of children a woman has in her life time is not determined by income she earns. In conclusion, the findings showed that as education level of woman increases, the number of children ever born decreases, hence fertility declines. The test of employment status justifies the existing relationship with fertility; any increase or decrease of employment status will affect level of fertility since number of children ever born of a woman depends on type of work. On the basis of the findings and the conclusions, this study recommends the expansion of women education, introduction of family life education in school, increasing employment opportunities for women and introduction of special programmes such as saving and credit groups and women income generating groups either by the Government or NGO’s. These programmes would provide women with some knowledge and skills which could be used by the women in various projects to raise their income and reduce their dependency on children