Demographic Surveys

The PRHP faculty and postdoctoral fellows carried out a reproductive health and demographic survey in three collaborating communities (Tsibiri, Dakace and Shika Dam) in 2007.

The partnership found that the median age at marriage among women was 14.6 years and a majority (81%) of women had experienced their first pregnancy before the age of 20.

The reproductive health and demographic survey found that the median age at marriage among women was 14.6 years and a majority (81%) of women had experienced their first pregnancy before the age of 20.

All heads of households (97% male) and female residents 15 to 49 years old (N=1308) residing in 1,124 households in the surveyed communities were interviewed.

Key Findings:
• The majority (93%) of households used a traditional pit toilet and 31% had access to a clean water source (piped or protected well/bore well).

• More than three fourths of households (80%) owned a radio.

• The median age at marriage among women was 14.6 years.

• A majority (81%) of women had experienced their first pregnancy before the age of 20.

• Nearly two thirds (64%) of women had heard of at least one contraceptive method, including folk methods; 11% had heard of sterilization; and 9% had heard of birth control pills. Higher levels of educational attainment were associated with greater knowledge of contraception.

• About one tenth (12%) of currently married women had an unmet need for family planning, That is, they either wished to delay the next birth or stop childbearing, but were not using a contraceptive method.

The Demographic Survey of three communities in Zaria, Nigeria found that majority (93%) of households used a traditional pit toilet and 31% had access to a clean water source (piped or protected well/bore well).

The Demographic Survey of three communities in Zaria, Nigeria found that majority (93%) of households used a traditional pit toilet and 31% had access to a clean water source (piped or protected well/bore well).