Mehary, Tesfa Yesus2019-08-292020-01-072019-08-292020-01-071986Mehary, T. Y (1986) Mortality levels and differentials in Ethiopia with references to Mettu, Alemaya and Adddis Ababa,Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx )http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3039Available in print formDemographic estimates, on the basis of sample surveys, are of short duration in Ethiopia. The available estimates are considered plausible on a national level in that they are within the acceptable limits for sub-Saharan countries, but on regional or lower levels the figures are questionable, because they show significant differences. Also, the sample surveys covered only a limited number of variables which could not explain these, wide differences. The fertility and mortality rates generated from the data are quite low, not only for Ethiopia where health services are rudimentary and birth-control practices non-existent, but for developing countries generally. Thus, the main objective of the thesis is to determine the level and differentials of mortality in the selected areas of Ethiopia by verifying the earlier findings by means of a closely supervised study in three selected areas of the country. The areas selected are Mettu, an area of reported low fertility and low mortality; Alemaya an area of high fertility and high mortality rates and Addis Ababa, the capital city having average rates for purposes of comparison. Geographically the rural study areas are about 1,000 kms. apart. The thesis details the selection of study areas, the type of questionnaire administered, the field work, and the evaluation of the data collected. Many questions aimed at soliciting the required information on mortality have been asked and many new techniques for the estimation of mortality rates have been tried. Whilst no attempt has been made to describe the methods utilized in details, the techniques applied are discussed in general terms. Dependence on indirect means of estimating mortality, in the absence of a reliable vital registration system, remains to be without an alternative in developing societies such as Ethiopia. Therefore the highlights of the study focus an methods of estimating both infant and adult mortality. The estimation of infant mortality from proportion of children dying by age of mother was obtained using the Brass technique along with its modifications due to Sullivan and Trussel. The derived figures indicate that the differences between the results of the three methods is less than the differences within the Sullivan and Trussel methods according to which one of the four families of Model Life Tables is assumed to be applicable. Estimation of adult mortality was obtained by the use of orphan hood and widowhood data. The analysis of the orphan hood data resulted in an implied expectation of life for both males and females. Implied expectation of life for females obtained from male respondents generally exceeded those derived from female respondents, although the differences were small. Furthermore the implied expectation of life for males derived from both male and female respondents, was generally lower compared to the implied expectation of life for females. Socio-economic indicators are used to show possible differentials on mortality. Some of the indicators selected show stronger association than others. In infancy males suffer more than females, and that children born in stable marriages have a higher chance of survival than others. Worthy of note are also differentials based on the place of residence (rural versus urban), parental occupation (working mothers compared to housewives), the level of parental education, especially of mothers and weaning practice. The latter has the salutary effect on elongating the post partum amenorrhea, and therefore the interval between births. The relationship between fertility and mortality are examined using parity of women, pregnancy, current age of mother and survivorship rates. The analysis indicated that Alemaya has both a high level of fertility and a high level of mortality but these measures are low in Mettu, in fact too low for a developing agrarian society, and yet the causes for the low fertility in Mettu are shown as the cause of high Pregnancy wastage. The fertility and mortality levels in Addis Ababa are considered to be of average magnitude. In conclusion, the need for further studies are recommended along with policy implications of the prevailing demographic situation in the country.enMortalityFertilityHumanPopulationEthiopiaThesis