Patterns of fertility and contraceptive use in Tanzania

Abstract

The evidence that fertility has started to decline in parts of sub- Saharan Africa is the major motive of conducting the current research. This is particularly important because the Tanzanian Government considers the current fertility levels to be very high. As a consequence, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has established a National Population Policy in 1992. This study examines the reproductive behaviour of Tanzanian women. The study of current levels and trends of fertility showed that, on the average, a Tanzanian woman bears six children. This is a decline from seven births per woman which prevailed between 1960s and early 1980s. Thr reduction in infant and child mortality and the rise in age at first marriage are among the factors responsible for the decline in fertility in Tanzania. It should be noted, however, that this decline is largely confined to urban areas. The percentage of women using contraception is still very low in Tanzania but a rising trend has been observed recently. Breasfeeding is both prolonged and universal in Tanzania and its importance in lowering fertility below its biological maximum is noted. In fact, the effect of breastfeeding durations in prolonging birth intervals is found to be statistically significant even after controlling for amenorrhea and after resuming sexual relations. Variations in durations of breastfeeding, length of birth intervals and the extent of using contraception are found to depend mainly on the region of residence, the type of place of residence and the age of women. It is important therefore to design separately programmes to lower fertility by regions of residence, by rural/urban residence and where relevant target young women separately.

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