Fertility Behaviour of Tharu Community: A Case Study of Joshipur VDC in Kailali District

Abstract

This study "Fertility Behaviour of Tharu Community" was carried out by using primary data of Joshipur VDC in Kailali District. The main objective of the study was to examine the fertility behaviour of Tharu Community in the study area. The study included 120 current married women of reproductive age group from 120 households which was selected from 360 households by usingsystematic random sampling method. The total sampled population of the studyarea was 909. Out of the total population 53.1 percent were male and 46.9percent were female. Out of 844 population aged 5 years andabove in the study area, 59.2percent population were literate and 40.8 percent population were illiterate. Outof 120 respondents (eligible women), 12.5 percent were literate and 87.5 percentwere illiterate. Out of 734 population aged 10 years and above, 44.4 percent populationinvolved in agriculture followed by 29.7 percent of student. But, out of 120respondents (eligible women) 72.5 percent were engaged in the agriculture sectorfollowed by 13.3 percent of household workers. Majority of the respondents(eligible women) found married in age group 15-17 whose percentage was 84.2.Majority of the respondents were not using FP methods due to side effects i.e.47.2 percent followed by 17.6 percent due to want another child. The overall mean CEB of the respondent was found to be 3.3 in the Tharu community. The mean CEB was found to be lowest 1.3 and highest 6.7 inage group of 15-19 and 45-49 years respectively. According to age group ofrespondents were found positively associated with CEB (fertility). Literacy Status of respondents were found to be inversely (negatively) associated with the number of CEB (fertility). Occupation status of respondents were found positively associated with CEB (fertility). Age at marriage of respondents was found negatively associated with CEB (fertility). Similarly, child loss experience was positively associated with CEB (fertility) in the study area.