Fertility Behaviour of Dalit community (A Case Study of Barhabis Vdc Bajura, District)

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine the fertility behaviourof Dalit community. A case study in Barhbis VDC of Bajura District'regarding selected some demographic and socio-economic variables. Thestudy presents the findings from the primary sources of data, surveyconducted during December 2009.The study sample included 130 ever-married womenof reproductive age group from 130 households with 650entire family members. Data were obtained on household and individualinformation related to explain fertility performance from the survey. Using cross tables, mean tables and correlation analysis withselected dependent and independent variables carried out analyses offertility behaviour. Children Ever Born (CEB) was used as an indicator offertility behaviour. Among total Dalit population male constitute 50.15 percent, femaleconstitute 49.85 percent and sex ratio is 99.4. High concentration seemsin the age group 10-14 years i.e. 16.0 percent for male and 5-9 years i.e.15.3 percent for female. Out of the eligible women, 38.46 percent weremarried within the age of 18-20 years. The literacy rate of Dalitpopulation was 66.46 percent and 65.38 percent of eligible women wereilliterate. The people were dominantly agricultural based. Only 25.15percent couples of reproductive age were found currently usercontraception. The overall mean CEB of the respondents was found to be 3.73.The number of CEB was found to in increasing order with the increasingage of respondents. Women with age group 45-49 years have foundhighest mean CEB, 6.67 per women. It is argued that fertility remains high due to high mortalityexperience of children and minimal use of contraception the study area.