[Factors influencing total fertility rate (TFR) in Africa].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to estimate how the cultural and religious factors contribute to high total fertility rate in Africa and to denying the use of contraceptives.


METHODS
A group of 100 women, mainly from rural areas, was interviewed in Southern Africa during the period of 1996-2002. Questions concerned motivation to high total fertility rate (average number of lifetime births per woman in particular country or population) and low rate of contraception use.


CONCLUSIONS
The main motivating factors to high TFR were cultural and religious beliefs, like the value of children as carriers of traditions, religion, genetics and also the emphasis on Old Testament in African Christianity. In 92 cases husbands played dominant role in deciding about the size of the family and denying the use of free contraceptives by women.
Krutul
Lesław
L
D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000208:ethnology*; D002835:Christianity; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D018454:Spouses / Q000208:ethnology*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology; D014933:Women's Rights