Data from Demographic and Health Surveys comparative surveys conducted in Ankole and a 1984 survey of the elderly in Ankole are used in this monograph to present a comprehensive analysis of fertility in Ankole Uganda. This monograph is different from preceding monographs in this series by including several additional variables: an analysis of household property the influence of the extended family the length of birth intervals and the incidence of infertility as explanations for the high fertility in Ankole. The analysis of data on the elderly and the comparison of mens and womens fertility desires are also included. Censuses of population over four decades are used to measure population and fertility trends. Other chapters are devoted to the value placed on children sexual customs land and cattle ownership and marriage patterns. The study questionnaires are included in the appendices. It is concluded that in Ankole society childless men and women desired a large family of around 6.7 and 7.5 children respectively. Ideal family size was higher among families with children. Women had ideals of 7.8 children and men had ideals of 8.9 children. The strong extended family system reinforces the desire for a large family by providing financial support for education and weddings. Children begin to help around the house at an early age and are viewed as assets. Sexual customs are practiced that enhance a large family size: return to sexual relations soon after the birth of a child ritual sexual practices high sexual mobility between relatives and the lack of a postpartum abstinence sexual taboo. The number of children ever born was higher among cattle owners. Marriage variables had the strongest impact on fertility in the analysis of the proximate determinants of fertility. Contraception induced abortion and infertility had a limited impact. It is recommended that policy address mortality reduction as a means of reducing fertility levels in Ankole.
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Lloyd et al. (1998) studied this question.