Premarital Fertility in Rural South Africa : A Challenge to Existing Population Policy

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2000.00047.x
• Publication Date: 2003-12-15T11:37:59Z
• Authors: Michel Garenne; Stephen Tollman; Kathleen Kahn
• Keywords: Total fertility rate; Marital status

The age pattern of fertility in a rural area South Africa under demographic surveillance (Agincourt subdistrict) was investigated over the 1992–97 period. total rate (TFR) averaged 3.3 births per woman reproductive period, major drop from earlier estimates same (6.0 1970–74). Age‐specific rates showed an atypical bimodal pattern. They were decomposed into two components similar magnitude: premarital (among women aged 12–26) and marital 15–49). decomposition revealed underlying modes: mode 18–20) 28–30). Premarital accounted for 21 percent all 47 among 12–26. This high appears to reflect low incidence contraceptive use before first birth, especially adolescents, prevalence abortion, thereafter. finding calls reorientation family planning policy, which until now has targeted married who have been pregnant once, but failed address needs young their pregnancy, adolescents.