Some aspects of family planning programmes and fertility in selected ECA member States

Abstract

The purpose of the study, four ECA member States (Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius, and Lesotho) have been selected. These four have national family planning programs aimed at reducing the levels of fertility as well as improving maternal and child health. They also have a wealth of demographic data available from past population censuses and surveys; in the cases of Egypt and Mauritius, a reliable vital registration system has existed for many decades. Kenya and Lesotho participated in the World Fertility Survey (WFS). The Kenyan Fertility Survey (KFS) was undertaken in 1977-78 while the Lesotho Fertility Survey (LFS) was in 1977. A Rural Fertility Survey was conducted in Egypt (EFS) in 1980. 11. Following these introductory remarks, Chapter I outlines the family planning programs in the four selected ECA member States and in Chapter II, an attempt is made to indicate the impact of such policies and programs on fertility. Chapter III then reviews the fertility levels, patterns, and trends in the states in relation to these policies and programs. Chapter IV summarizes the main findings and recommendations of the study.