Black fertility patterns--Cape Town and Ciskei.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Family Planning
• Sociology

Background:

• Examines the reproductive and contraceptive behaviors of 491 Black women in South Africa.
• Investigates experiences in both urban (Cape Town) and rural (Ciskei) settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the reproductive and contraceptive experiences of Black women.
• To identify factors influencing family size and contraceptive use.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 491 Black women.
• Data collected on age, pregnancy history, desired family size, and contraceptive methods used.

Main Results:

• Average woman was 31, first pregnant at 19.8, with 3.5 pregnancies and 2.9 living children.
• Family size correlated with education, urbanization, and maternal age.
• 65.5% used contraception between pregnancies; 57% at interview, predominantly injectable progestogen (Depo-Provera).
• Urban women utilized oral contraceptives and sterilization more frequently.
• Poverty impacts the ability to achieve desired family size.

Conclusions:

• Family planning services need to be accessible to all, particularly teenagers.
• Urbanization and associated settled family life/job opportunities motivate smaller family sizes.
• Socioeconomic factors significantly influence reproductive choices and outcomes.