Fertility Behaviiour

FERTILITY BEHAVIOUR OF MAGAR COMMUNITY
( A case study of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja district)
Submitted by
Lila Ballav Neupane
Lumbini Adarsha Degree College
Kawasoti, Nawalparasi
P.U.Regd. No, 013-4-3-04359-2006
Exam Roll No
A Thesis Submitted to Office of Dean

Faculty of Education
Purbanchal University
Biratnagar
For the partial fulfillment of the Requirement of Master's Degree in

Education
(Population and Environment Education)
2021
This dissertation entitled Fertility Behavior of Magar Community A
case study of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja has been submitted
to the department of population and environment education, Lumbini
Adarsha Degree College, Purbanchal University.
My sincere gratitude and gratefulness goes to my respected supervisor of
the study Lecturer Arjun Prasad Paudel, who always encouraged, guided
and supervised me in each and every step from starting of proposal writing
to completion of dissertation.
Similarly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Principal
Baburam Ranamagar, Vice-principal Yam Prasad Paudel, lecturers Arjun
Khanal, Bal Krishna Ghimire and whole family of Lumbini Adarsha
Degree College for inspiring me to complete this dissertation.
I would like to thank my friend Mr Ram Prasad Pandey (Principal, Mirmee
Multiple Campus) who helped me to know the basic cultural environment
of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality Magar community. I must be thankful
to all the respondents in the Kaligandaki community for their factual
answer during the field visit. I am thankful to my friends Tikaram Darlami
(Teacher of Dhrubajyoti Secondary School, Syangja) , Prithvi Narayan
Sharma ( Manager, Primelife insurance, walling, syangja) for their
encouragement and suggestions during the thesis work.
At last, my deep gratitude goes to my small brother Yugaraj Neupane, wife
Lila Neupane, son Dipendra Neupane (who helped me to computer
typing), Daughter Kusum Neupane and Pooja Neupane, my Mother Dhan
Kumari Neupane for managing suitable family environment during the
thesis writing period.
Lila Ballav Neupane
ABSTRACT
This study entitled Fertility Behavior of Magar Community is based on
the consideration that fertility is determined by different socio-economic
and demographic variables.
The objectives of this study are, to analyze the socio-economic and
demographic characteristics of respondents among the target population, to
examine the knowledge and practice of family planning methods, to
examine fertility behavior with respect to family size, female education,
occupation, age at marriage and use of family planning.
This study explains some variables that are: age at marriage, child loss
experience, education, occupation, knowledge of use of family planning, to
examine the relationship between these variables and fertility.
This study is based on primary as well as secondary data which is carried
out from Rural Municipality profile, field survey, questionnaire survey,
interview, journals, thesis etc.
Relationship between age at marriage, education, level of occupation,
knowledge and use of family planning and positive relationship between
child loss experience and CEB are examined. Most of the households have
4 to 6 members in the family and Hindus living together in their own
house. The child bearing performance of the study population is higher.
About 19 percent of the respondents have child loss experience.
Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Kaligandaki Rural
Municipality. Highest mean CEB was found at 3.3 whereas lowest CEB
was found at 1.4. Women's fertility is found 3.0 children on at average.
Fertility among the study women was found higher. This is because of
giving high preference to son, low level of educational attainment, low
change of holding occupation of women and overall lower status of
women. The society in the study area is still backward still the main
number of ideal children and the children ever born are very high.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Recommendation sheet
Approval sheet
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of contents
List of tables
List of figures
Abbreviations
CHAPTER-I
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problems
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
CHAPTER-II
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical Literature
2.2 Empirical Literature
2.2.1 Education and fertility
2.2.2 Occupation, income and fertility
2.2.3 Age at marriage and fertility
2.2.4 Infant and child mortality and fertility
2.2.5 Contraceptive use and fertility
2.3 Conceptual Framework
CHAPTER-III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 The research design
3.2 The source of study
3.3 Nature and sources of data
3.4 Sampling and sampling procedure
3.5 Construction and validation of the tools and instruments
3.5.1 Questionnaire
3.5.2 Interview
3.5.3 Observation
3.6 Data collection
3.7 Data analysis and interpretations procedure
CHAPTER-IV
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
4.1 General introduction to the study area
4.2 Socio-economic characteristics of respondents
4.2.1 Family size and types of family
4.2.2 Religion
4.2.3 Economic status
4.2.4 Living status
4.2.5 Types of house
4.2.6 Land holding status
4.2.7 Cultivation of others land
4.2.8 Household by domestic animals
4.2.9 Household facilities
4.2.10 Household by income and expenditure
4.2.11 Access to drinking water and sanitary facility
4.2.12 Toilet facility
4.2.13 Education status
4.2.14 Occupation status of respondents
4.2.15 Marital status
4.3 Demographic characteristics of the respondents
4.3.1 Age
4.3.2 Age at first menstruation
4.3.3 Age at marriage
4.3.4 Age at first birth
4.3.5 Number of children ever born
4.3.6 Child loss experience
4.3.7 Knowledge of family planning methods
4.3.8 Heard of methods
4.3.9 Source of information of family planning
4.3.10 Ever use of family planning
4.3.11 Cause of not using FP methods
4.3.12 Ideal number of children
4.3.13 Place of delivery
4.3.14 Prenatal check up status
4.4 Relationship of CEB with different variables
4.4.1 Age at CEB
4.4.2 Family size and CEB
4.4.3 Age at first marriage and CEB
4.4.4 Education and CEB
4.4.5 Occupation and CEB
4.4.6 Use of family planning and CEB
CHAPTER-V
SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of the findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Recommendations for further study
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Title Page No.
Table 1: ward wise distribution of Magar household
Table 2: Percentage distribution of respondents household by family size.
Table 3: Percentage distribution of households by religion.
Table 4: Percentage distribution by living status.
Table 5: Distribution of respondents by type of houses.
Table 6: Distribution of respondents by land holding status
Table 7: Percentage distributing of the household by cultivation status of
other's land
Table 8: Percentage distribution of households by domestic animals.
Table 9: Percentage distribution of household by monthly income or
expenditure
Table 10: Percentage distribution of households by source of drinking
water.
Table 11: Percentage distribution of household by toilet facility
Table 12: Distribution of education of status of respondents
Table 13: Percentage distribution of the respondents by education
attainment
Table 14: Percentage distribution of the occupational status of respondents
Table 15: Distribution of marital status of respondents
Table 16: Percentage distribution of the respondents by five year age
group.
Table 17: Percentage distribution of the respondents by age at first
menstruation.
Table 18: Percentage distribution of respondents by age at marriage.
Table 19: Distribution of respondents by age at first birth
Table 20: Percentage distributions of the respondents by number of
children born alive till the time of survey.
Table 21: Percentage distribution of respondents by child loss experience.
Table 22: Percentage distribution of respondents by knowledge of family
planning.
Table 23: Percentage distribution of respondents by heard of FP methods
Table 24: Percentage distribution of the respondents by source of
information on F.P.
Table 25: Percentage distribution of respondents by ever use of family
planning methods
Table 26: Percentage distribution of the respondents by reason of not using
FP methods.
Table 27: Percentage distribution of the respondents by their view on ideal
number of children.
Table 28: Place of delivery
Table 29: Percentage distribution of the respondents by status and place of
prenatal check up.
Table 30: Percentage of CEB by respondents
Table 31: Percentage distribution of CEB by respondents family size
Table 32: Age at first marriage and CEB.
Table 33: Distribution of CEB according to respondents education
Table 34: Mean CEB by occupation
Table 35: Use of family planning and CEB
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 2: Land holding status
Fig 3: Distribution of the respondents of household facilities.
Fig, 4: Educational status
Fig 5: Occupation
Fig. 6: Age group of the respondents
Fig. 7 Use of family planning tools
ABBREVIATION
BDCS Birth Death and Contraceptive Survey
CBS Central Bureau of Statistics
CBR Crude Birth Rate
CDPS Central Development of Population Studies
CEB Children Ever Born
CPR Contraceptive Prevalence Rate
FP Family Planning
ICPD International Conference of on Population and
Development
IEC Information, Education and Communication
IMR Infant Mortality Rate
INGO International Non-Governmental Organization
MOPE Ministry Of Population and Environment
NDHS Nepal Demographic and Health Survey
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
PU Purbanchal University
PRB Population Reference Bureau
SMAM Singulate Mean Age at Marriage
TFR Total Fertility Rate
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Program
UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activity
CHAPTER-I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Nepal is a small, landlocked country which occupies 0.03 percent of the
total land area of the world and 0.3 percent of that of Asia. India lies at
eastern, western and southern part whereas China lies at the northern part
of Nepal. The area of Nepal is 1,47,181 square kilometers. It is divided
into three geographical regions i.e. mountains, hills and plains. At present,
the country is divided into seven provinces, which are further subdivided
into 77 administrative districts. Moreover, the districts are also further
subdivided into smaller units called rural municipalities and municipalities.
The rural municipalities are in rural areas whereas municipalities are in
urban areas of the country.
The total fertility rate (TFR ) of the country is reported to have declined
from 2.09 in 2011 (CBS, 2011) to 1.96 in 2015 (MOH, 2015). This
decline in TFR could be attributed to the rising level of education and
contraceptive prevalence. However, Nepal's TFR was still high as
compared to its neighboring countries in Asia ( UN 2016). Similarly, crude
birth rate (CBR) had declined from 24.3 per 1000 in 2011 to 22.4 per 1000
in 2016 (NDHS 2016). Fertility had declined from 2.6 births per woman in
2011 to 2.3 births in 2016 (NDHS). This decline in fertility was more
pronounced in the last five years (i.e. between 2011 and 2016). It had
declined in every age group over the last ten years, particularly in the older
age cohorts. This decrease in fertility in terms of the TFR is unprecedented
in Nepal. The TFR decreased from 2.6 births per woman in 2011 to 2.3
births per woman in 2016. There is an 11 percent difference between the
two surveys. Many factors might have contributed to this precipitous
decrease in Nepal. Some important findings on the relationship between
fertility and socio-economic, religious and demographic factors have been
reviewed in certain broad categories for the purpose of the study. In 1956,
Davis and Blake presented a framework which focused on the industrial
mechanism in society and listed eleven intermediated variables through
which any factors such as biological, social and psychological or cultural
factors must operate upon individual fertility (Tuladher, 1989).
The annual growth rate of population was 1.35 percent and the total
population of the country had reached 2,64,94,504. Out of the total
population 48.5 percent were males and the remaining 51.5 percent were
females. There were altogether 125 castes who spoke 123 mother tongue
languages. The population density of Nepal was 180 sq. /km.(population
census 2011). The sex ratio of male and female was reported by 94.16. The
literacy rate of Nepal had reached 65.9 percentages. The male and female
literacy rate was 75.1 percentages and 57.4 percentages respectively(CBS,
2011).
Population has been increasing rapidly during the past 3 decades.
Continuous decline in death rates and high fertility rates (Bishta, 1991)
was accounted for by increasing population growth. Increase in fertility,
depend upon various factors, Among them, lack of awareness, economic
and educational status, contraceptive users, religious superstition, child
marriage, re-marriage, illegal abortion, contraceptive failure and unwanted
pregnancy are regarded as the major factors.
Poverty is directly related to fertility. Most of the people in Nepal are
illiterate. They un-aware of the adverse effects of fertility. So the fertility
rate is high. Somewhere fertility is affected by religion also. In Hindu
manuscripts, daughters are considered as second class citizens and people
believe sons can only maintain their generation and they are the only one
who can support and help the family in need, so people desire to get a son.
In the ritual ceremony, furthermore, people believe there is a great role of
the son in older age and after death also. So the desire for a son is higher,
which increases the fertility rate. Most of the people in our country are
illiterate because of which they are far from the approach of
contraceptives. Few people, who have knowledge and use the methods of
contraceptives, have also encountered the problems of high rate of failure,
which ultimately results in pregnancy. At past unwanted pregnancy could
not be aborted easily because it was taken illegal, but in the present
scenario, abortion is made legal, however because of its different legal
conditions, and difficulties it is still not an easy task due to which the birth
rate is increasing.
Fertility behavior refers to the actual reproductive performance of the
women during their reproductive age group between 15-49 years. The
child bearing performance of individual couples, groups of population is
known fertility behavior and refers to the actual reproductive performance
of a woman.
According to Bhende and Kanitkar (1994) fertility behavior is the process
of giving birth, which interacts with the ambient environment and is
different societies. Besides the degree of interaction of the environment
variables which are different within the biological limits of human fertility,
several social, cultural psychological as well as economic and political
factors are found to operate and these are responsible for determining the
level and differentials of fertility.
There are different ethnic groups, which compose the different cultural
identities in the country. Among them, the Magar community is one of the
major ethnic groups. 102 caste/ethnic groups were identified (2001 census)
which were later identified to be 125 (census 2011). The population of
Magar was 1,887,733 (census 2011).
Most of the Magar communities reside in rural areas of the hilly region of
Nepal. They mainly depend upon agriculture, foreign employment and on
security forces. They have low economic status and low educational
enrollment. The deep rooted natural and religious factors influencing
fertility behavior have been seen so high fertility behavior is found in
Magar communities. Most couples are not interested in using
contraceptives. People are not aware of the bad effect of rapid population
growth. So this study will try to find out the fertility situation of Magar
communities in the study area.
Demography is the statistical and mathematical study of size, composition
and spatial distribution of the human population and its change over time.
The population of Syangja district is 2,89,148 at which 1,25,833 are males
and 1,63,315 are females. Out of the total population, the Magar
population is 15.1% according to the 2011 census. There are five processes
of population change, which are fertility, mortality, migration, marriage,
and social mobility. Out of them, fertility is the major one.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Nepal is predominantly an agricultural country where about 83 percent of
the total population is engaged in agriculture (CBS, 2011/12). The literacy
rate in Nepal is 65.9 percent. The male and female literacy rate is 75.1
percent and 57.4 percent respectively (census 2011). Fertility rate in Nepal
is one of the highest among other countries in Asia. In many developing
countries, high fertility is associated with the level of income, education
and child survival, cultural and religious factors. In addition, family
planning in general has an important role in reducing material fertility.
The population of Magar is in the third position in the country which was
7.1 percent of the total population (CBS 2011). The pattern of fertility
among the sub-group within the same religious community will also differ
from each other. The lowest caste women showed higher fertility in each
age group compared to upper caste women (Brahmin, Chhetri and Rajput).
Ethnic diversity also differs the fertility rate in the society. The minority
groups exhibit a high fertility rate in comparison to the majority groups.
Thus it is notable that the populations of ethnic groups have shown
considerable variation in demographic and socio-economic characteristics.
Nepal is a country with multi-ethnic, multilingual and multi-religious
society. In reality, some are in a very high socio-economic position and
some are in low condition. The society is divided into two groups, upper
class and lower class. Lower class people are going to lower and lower
conditions and vice versa. People of low class families have been found to
have high fertility behavior, low educational status and they live in remote
areas. Among them, the Magar community is one of the suffering ethnic
groups where most of the people are illiterate. They have high fertility
behavior, poor education, lack of family planning knowledge. High
fertility in the community is prevailing due to low status of women in
society, low level of literacy rate, high infant mortality rates, Low
economic condition, child marriage system, inadequate distribution and
coverage of family planning programs to the people (Manandhar, 1993).
Several studies have been carried out on fertility behavior with respect to
different ethnic groups. In contrast to it few studies have been carried out
especially in Magar community. So we are interested in the fertility
behavior of the Magar community. This study could by contributing in the
academic as well as policy level to address the population issue by
ethnicity. This study will be basically based on Kaligandaki Rural
Municipality of syangja district, where most of the residents belong to
Magar community especially in ward no. 1,2,4,5,6 and 7. This Rural
Municipality is surrounded by Galyang Municipality Syangja east, Gulmi
Ruru in west, Gulmi Harmichaur in north and Palpa bagnaskali in south.
This study is focused on the Magar community of Kaligandaki Rural
municipality. Most of the Magar people depended on the agriculture
sector. Some women whose husbands are working in the Indian security
force and abroad, are economically sound, in spite of their poor
agricultural production. The climate of this rural municipality is neither
cold nor warm. The Major crops are maize, wheat whereas rice grows in
less amounts. So most of the people depended on food from other villages.
Most of Magar people depend on traditional farming because of their poor
educational and economical status. In this situation socio-economic status
is the most important factor which affects perception, practice, behavior
and knowledge relating to family planning methods and contraceptive
devices and its practices. There are few research works down in the
village. So the purpose of study basically concentrated on rural areas rather
than urban areas. The purpose of study aims to explore the fertility
behavior of Magar community as well as experience on use of the
contraceptive methods. In addition to it this study will try to find out the
fertility behavior with socio-economic and demographic variables in the
community.
1.3 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are as follows.
1. To analyze the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of
respondents among the target population.
2. To examine the knowledge and practice of family planning methods.
3. To examine fertility behavior with respect to family size, female
education, occupation, age at marriage and use of family planning.
1.4 Research Questions
This study has focused on the following research questions:
1. What are the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the
Magar community?
2. What is the situation/condition of family planning practice and
knowledge and effects on fertility and impacts of education among
the Magar community?
3. What is the status of female education, occupation, age at marriage,
use of family planning and its relation with fertility?
1.5 Significance of the Study

The main aim of the study is to find out the various socio-economic and
demographic aspects of fertility of the Magar community in the selected
study area (Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Syangja district).
In this community the fertility rate is high and most of the people are
illiterate. So from this study we may know the fertility behavior of the
Magar community.
The main significance of this study is listed as follows.
1. The study is helpful to find out the various socio-economic and
demographic aspects of fertility of the Magar community of
Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Syangja.
2. The study is helpful to know the present situation of fertility behavior
of Magar community of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Syangja.
3. The study focuses on married-women of age 15-49 years to find out
the fertility change in previous and now for the target area.
4. It gives research output for the nation and particularly for the study
area.
5. It gives a real and clear picture of the studied topic and that of the
particular area.
6. It is a useful and basic guide line to the new researchers, planners,
policy makers, educators, social and community health workers.
1.5 Limitation of the Study
1. The study is based on fertility behavior of the Magar community of
Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Syangja.
2. This study is based on the general, socio-economic study of the
population and that of married women.
3. This study is based on some selected variables to describe the status
of women and its relationship with fertility.
4. The study is related to respondents married women of reproductive
ages (15-49 years).
5. The generalization may not be possible for the other community
group as well as for the women of urban areas.
CHAPTER-II
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature is a piece of writing or printed information on a particular

subject and review. So, an attempt has been made to review the previous
work of different researchers and authors.
2.1 Theoretical Literature

There are various theoretical and empirical literatures requiring the study
of fertility and various assumptions and methods to control it. Fertility
determined by different physiological factors and their interplay with
social, cultural, economic and modernization factors.
Fertility be
haviour of any groups and community is affected by caste, ethnicity,
religion, cultures, women’s education, occupation, sex performance, use of
contraceptives, and age at marriage. Brahmin, Chhetri and Newar have
lower fertility than other ethnic groups(Rijal and Shrestha, 1989).
Age at marriage is regarded as one of the dominant factors of fertility. The
total child birth during her fertility period of a woman is almost guided by
the duration of time she spends with her husband and also by other social,
cultural and economic variables. Marriage age is confirmed as per socio-
cultural norms and values.
An increase in age at marriage will definitely lower down the reproductive
period and the total number of births per woman will also be reduced. This
fact has been proved by most of the studies. An increase in the women’s
age at marriage contributed to a reduction in fertility. Thus, one of the
most important determinants of fertility is the reproductive age, which is
associated with age-specific fertility rate. Unless the age at marriage
continues to rise, the use of contraception will be the dominant factor for
the further reduction in fertility. Postpartum sterility or amenorrhea is
another psychological phenomenon which motivates wide-spread practice
of breast-feeding for babies for 2 to 3 years in older to lower fertility. One
of the studies carried out in Bangladesh by Shahidullah and
Chkrobortyl(1993) concluded that lactational infecundability plays the
most prominent role as a fertility-reducing factor. So, it is essential to
provide more information to women about the low cost and much greater
benefits of longer duration breast-feeding, because the fertility-inhibiting
effect of marriage and lactational infecundability is common in each other.
Different studies conclude that the longer the women breast feed, the lower
is the chance to conceive. This is a natural mechanism for lowering
fertility. Bongarts(1983) demonstrated that 96 percent of the variance in
the duration of postpartum amenorrhea could be explained by breast
feeding alone. However, he also noted that the postpartum amenorrhea
phase cannot be lengthened much by lactation beyond two years.
Demographic transition theory states that fertility is high in poor,
traditional societies because of high mortality, lack of opportunities for
individuals, less advancement and higher economic value of children.
These all change with modernization or urban industrialism and
individuals, once their viewpoints become reoriented to the change that
have taken place, can make use of the new opportunities (Caldwell, 1989).
Education creates awareness about socio-economic problems. It enhances
occupational status, implants ideas about the appropriate age for marriage,
reduces desire only for sons rather than daughters, and keeps them busy
performing activities for their personal career development and social
development. The educational development in this region is not
satisfactory. As a result, people do not have the right attitude towards
gender. They think it is extremely necessary to give birth to a son. They
especially like to have a son because they think if they don’t give birth to a
son, they don’t reach heaven after their death. It is also believed that a son
can continue ancestral family traditions and customs. Such convictions
lead them to increase the fertility size. Similarly, the couples think that the
newly born child struggles himself or herself in some menial jobs to fulfill
the appetite because he/she will have one mouth but two hands. Such a
conviction leads them to bear a number of children.
In Nepalese society where the males are allowed to have more than one
wife, they give birth to too many children. This practice is conducive to
population growth. Some religious, like Islam does not have any restriction
on number of marriages. Therefore, the people belonging to this religious
group get married to more than one wife and the number of children of
these people is more than people who belong to other religious groups. In
the same way, women who are confined only to carry out household jobs
are considered suitable for producing children. Those women who can
produce a larger number of children are held in high esteem. Certainly,
fertility is very high in such societies as compared with societies where
women are expected to participate in all walks of life with men or where
women are equally treated like men. Fertility is extremely influenced by
economic conditions of the family, education of couples, occupation,
sources of income, marriage age, social customs, traditions, cultures and so
forth. Population growth rate is high in western Terai although the
mortality rate has sharply declined due to the increase in health centers,
medical and other welfare facilities.(Acharya, 2010)
In a traditional society, fertility is kept high because high mortality levels
fell down rapidly because of economic and social change including rising
levels of living, better nutrition, education and control over disease. Frank
Notestine(1946), has summarized the various steps of fertility and
mortality in demographic transition theory. The theory explains from the
state of high fertility and mortality to a state of low fertility and mortality
with the improved socio-economic and demographic status of every
country. It is generally based on European countries and some developed
countries.
The theory of diffusion or cultural lag assumes that birth control and
especially contraception has been a recent development, and it assumes
that is time lag and a “Tickle down” in the spreading of attitudes towards
birth control and practice, which moves from urban areas to rural areas.
According to this theory of fertility differentials, in countries where
fertility has been declining attitudes and practices conducive to
diminishing fertility have been adopted first by the better educated weather
and society more favored groups of the city population and transmitted in
the course of time to intermediate and lower status groups and to the rural
areas.
Ronald Freedom (1982), developed a model for the sociological
framework of fertility. He introduced two types of norms about fertility,
which are norms about family size and norms about intermediate variables.
Family planning programme is considered as one of the social programme
that has a goal to reduce fertility that may influence the norms about
family size and norms about intermediate variables, which in turn affect
fertility behavior (Tuladhar. 1989, 43-44) Bongarts, (1983), has indicated
seven sets of proximate determination variables affect fertility. They are
age at marriage, marital description, permanent sterility duration of post-
partum infecundability, fecundability, use and effectiveness of
contraception induced abortion and spontaneous intrauterine mortality.
Bhande & Kanitkar (1998) described the theory of diffusion or culture and
pointed out that the decline in birth rate in western countries was due to
change in values and attitude towards reproduction, resulting in the
deliberate use of methods of birth control. This included contraception,
abortion and voluntary abstinence.
Bhande & Kanitkar(2001), the theory of diffusion or cultural lag explains
how the concept of birth control spread all over the world. According to
this theory in countries where fertility has been declining, attitudes and
practices conducive to diminishing fertility have been adopted first by the
better educated, wealthy and high social status groups of the city
population and transferred in duration of time to intermediate and lower
status groups and to the rural areas. Once again, cultural lag theory has
been referred to very recently by John Khodel who, after examining the
age patterns of fertility in Asia, arrives at the conclusion that the modern
fertility transition appears to have resulted from the innovation as well as
adjustment.
Fertility is extremely influenced by economic conditions of the family,
education of couples, occupation, sources of income, marriage age, social
costumes, traditions, culture and so forth. Population growth rate is high in
western Terai although the mortality rate has sharply declined due to the
increased health centers, medical and other welfare facilities (Acharya,
2010).
2.2 Empirical Literature
The main factor of population increase in most of the developing countries
like Nepal is the low level of mortality rate and high level of fertility rate.
A number of studies in fertility which attempt to summarize the studies
regarding the determinants of fertility are selected and presented below.
2.2.1 Education and Fertility

Education is directly related to determining fertility behaviours of human
beings. We are seeing that the relation of these two variables in inversely
proportion means increase in education level, decrease in fertility rate and
decrease in educational level, increase in fertility rate. A study showed a
high fertility rate and decrease in educated level, increase in fertility rate.
A study showed high fertility among the women with elementary level
education then graduate in the USA. (UN, 1973)
Education has been considered as a catalytic agent to reduce fertility in
Nepal. Educated women are more aware of the issue of quality of children
than non educated women (Rijal and Shrestha. 1989). In Nepal, the
average number of CEB is 1.9 for literate women especially for primary
education and 1.5 for graduates which is lower than literate with CEB 2.8
(CBS, 1991). Family health survey (1996), showed a deep relationship
between education and fertility.
Women with at least secondary education have 2.1 mean ideal number of
children, women with primary education have 2.5 mean ideal number of
children and those with no education have the highest mean ideal number
of children of 3.1. Educated women are more aware of the quality of
children than uneducated. Nepal fertility survey 1976 has found that the
mean number of CEB among literate women was found 2.3 compared to
3.3 among illiterate women.
2.2.2 Occupation, Income and Fertility

Occupation is one of the socio-economic factors that identify subgroups
with distinct levels of fertility. In the context of Nepal, high fertility has
been associated with agriculture and mining. Low rate of fertility has been
associated with professional classes in urban industrial countries (UN,
1973). The work status of employment of women determines the level of
fertility behavior. According to the World Fertility Survey, women who
work in the teaching nurse or administrative sector marry on average 24
years later than those who work in the domestic and agricultural sector.
The mean number of children ever born of the married woman is the
highest for the farm fish worker which is 2.7, but lowest fertility is
observed among professional, administrative and clerical workers with 1.1
less than farm workers, (CBS, 1995). The relationship between occupation
status and number of CEB is inverse. Increasing occupational
opportunities individuals go outside home which reduce the level of
fertility (Dahal, 1993 and Adhikari (1994) found the work status of women
was inversely related to mean number of CEB. Better occupation and
increase in mean age at marriage decrease the fertility. Occupation is one
of the catalytic socio-economic factors that identify subgroups with district
level of fertility. While observing the fertility in case of CEB of different
group of people i.e. not working in agricultural and household and non-
agricultural according Birth, Death and Contraceptive Survey(BDCS),
1996 Nepal, the CEB for not working was 3.2, 3.3 for agricultural and
household 2.9 for non-agricultural women(Acharya, 2000).
2.2.3 Age at Marriage and Fertility

Maternity health and family planning are interrelated and they together
have an impact on the quality of population. The mean number of CEB per
women (15-49 years) is estimated to be 24, according to NLSS 2003/04.
As expected, this increases with the age-group of women. Rural areas have
more children per woman compared to urban areas. TFR for Nepal is
estimated at 3.4, urban areas have a much lower rate of 3.8. The 2001
population Census estimates the overall TFR range from 3.7 to 3.9 (CBS,
2003/04).
Age at marriage is considered as one of the determinants of fertility. There
is also an inverse relationship between age at marriage and fertility in
Nepal. Marriage usually takes places at very early age in various religious
groups like Hindu and Muslim. Various studies have shown that increase
in age at marriage helps to reduce fertility. In the context of Nepal too, this
statement is true where age at marriage and fertility has an inverse
relationship (Chhetri, 1995). In Nepal, the age at marriage is found to be
lower for females at 15.4 years and 19.5 years for males in 1991 (Ministry
of Population and Environment, MOPE, 2000). Nepalese society does not
allow the sexual union of unmarried people. So marriage is the most
essential in our society. Nepal is a country with a multi-lingual, multi-
religious and multi-ethnic society. According to the age and religion, age
at marriage and CEB are different. A study claims that women marrying
between 20 and 24 have similar fertility that of those marrying before 20,
only if the marriage age reached 35 or over would there be a significant
reduction of fertility. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for persistent high
fertility in Nepal (Kaski, 2003).
Chhetry (2012) found that an average of 5.5 CEB has been observed
among the women who had marriage below 15 years.
According to Adhikari (1996), in Nepalese perspective the poor level of
socio-economic development is the must catalyzing factor for high level of
infant mortality and fertility, poor health facilitates/services, lack of
knowledge on personal health/hygiene and deficiencies of caloric intake,
proteinous diet and micro nutrients impairs the personal health of mothers
and children in Nepal. NEW ERA(1986) found a close relationship
between infant mortality and number of children ever born. The study
included the existence of a strong child replacement effect in Nepal. (Cited
in Chhetri, 2005)
Maternity health and family planning are interrelated and they together
have an impact on the quality of population. The mean number CEB per
woman (15-49 years) is estimated to be 24, according to Nepal Living
Standard Survey (NLSS) 2003/04. As expected, these increase with the
age group of women. Rural areas have more children per woman
compared to urban areas. Total fertility rate (TFR) for Nepal is estimated
at 3.4, urban areas have a much lower rate of 3.8. Population census of
2001 estimated the overall TFR range from 3.7 to 3.9 (CBS, 2201). The
value for Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Nepal was 2.66 as of
2011 which is a decreasing trend over the past 51 years.
(https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/nepal/fertility-date)
2.2.4 Infant and Child Mortality and Fertility
There is a strong relationship between fertility and survival of children.
Due to poor health conditions more children are dying and the risk of
dying is still aggregated, if they are born to very younger or older mothers.
If they are also born after a short interval their mothers already have many
children. Women with higher children loss experience a bad higher CEB.
Women with an experience of no child loss had 2.5, those with one child
loss had 4.3 and those with two or more child loss had CEB 6.5. A steep
increase in CEB for cases of two or more daughters or sons dead is
evident. So women with higher child loss experience had higher CEB.
(Acharya, 2000)
According to NDHS 2001, the CEB of currently married women aged 15-
49 years was 2.79 while mean CEB was 3.29.
The interdependent relationship between fertility and infant mortality
suggests that a reduction in infant child mortality will trigger a subsequent
decline in fertility; it has also found that lower IMR motivates couples to
produce less number of children. (Karki, 2003)
2.2.5 Contraceptives Use and Fertility
Various studies have shown that use of contraception has a strong negative
association with fertility. Contraception use is the principal variable
responsible for the shift of fertility from high to low fertility.
It is widely believed that family planning awareness helps to control
population growth in the country. Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLSS)
estimates 71 percent of women aged 15-49 years are knowledgeable about
at least one of the F.P. methods, 46 percent have ever used it and 38
percent are currently using some form of planning methods. As one would
expect, the preparation of women with knowledge of at least one of the
family planning methods is higher in urban areas than in rural areas (91
percent versus 74 percent). Such knowledge is more likely to be higher
among younger cohorts and among richer quintile groups. Current use rate
of family planning is higher among women aged 35-39 years. This is
higher among those from richer households. FM radio is the most common
media of information about family planning. The majority of women, 38
percent, reported radio as the source of information about family planning
methods, followed by friend/relatives (24 percent), Television (7 percent)
and newspaper/poster (3 percent). In response to the question asked to
women aged 15-49 years on the type of family planning methods currently
used by them or by their husbands, 33 percent reported
laparoscopy/Minilab, 20 percent Vasectomy, 39 percent other temporary
methods and only eight percent condom. Among them, 60 percent of other
family planning methods visit public health institutions to get those
methods, followed by VSC (19 percent), pharmacies (9 percent), private
health institutions(5 percent) and health workers (4 percent). Such a
pattern is observed in all development regions, ecological zones, age
groups and conception quintiles. However, after public health institutions,
pharmacy is more popular in urban areas and the richest quintile (CBS/
NLSS, 2003/04). HMG, NGOs and INGOs are trying to reduce fertility by
launching family planning programs and increasing the percent of
contraceptives used but they cannot get success because there are different
social, economical, psychological, cultural and other causes. So the
fertility level is also high in developing countries like Nepal.
About 38 percent of women with living children had used contraception
and 40.5 percent of women with 3 and more living sons. This showed that
the women with fewer sons do not use any contraceptives. The situation in
Nepal is that only 34 percent of the reproductive women with even 5
children had used contraception in 1996 (Acharya, 1999). Overall
contraceptive prevalence rate(CPR) increased from 3 percent in 1976 to 29
percent in 1996. Among them, about 7 percent rely on permanent methods,
8.5 percent temporary methods and 2.5 percent rely on traditional methods.
Among permanent methods, female sterilization has become most popular.
(MOPE, 2000)
Fertility, Family Planning and Health Survey, 1996 of Nepal, reported that
about 28 percent of both ever married and currently married women of age
group between 15-49 years knew at least one method of family planning.
Among them 38 percent of currently married have reported ever use of
contraception and 35 percent have used modern methods. Dahal (1989),
found a close negative relationship between family planning services and
desired family size. Women’s education is associated with contraceptive
use. The use of contraception is also different according to the working
involved in a non-agricultural after than agricultural are 45.2 percent- 23.2
percent.(Subedi, 1996)
Fertility and health survey, 1996 reported that about 28 percent of both
ever married and currently married women of age group between 15-19
years were using at least one method of family planning. Among them, 38
percent of currently married women have been reported to ever use
contraception and 35 percent are using the modern methods.(Kattal, 2001)
There has been a five-fold increase in the percentage of currently married
women, who have heard about modern methods of contraception in the last
20 years (from 21 percent in 1997 to nearly 100 percent in 2001). This
high level of knowledge is a result of successful dissemination of family
planning. (MOH, 2002)
Several studies showed that there is an inverse relationship between
increase in contraception use and fertility. For example, in Bangladesh, the
declining trend in fertility was attributed to an increase in contraceptive
use. Contraceptive prevalence rate increased there from 8.5 percent in
1975 to 26 percent in 1986(Neupane, 1997). Bhandari(2009), studies
“Knowledge and use of contraception and fertility behaviour among
squatter population”. He found that contraception use was found highest
among the women residing in Terai (43.6 percent) than those residing at
hilly (37 percent) and Mountainous region (32 percent) respectively.
Upreti (2012) found that the mean CEB for the woman who has ever used
any contraceptive was 2.70 and it was 3.08 for the women who never used
any contraception.
Dhakal(1995), Proportion of married women, postpartum infecundability
induced abortion and prevalence of contraceptive use, these four principal
proximate determinants of fertility are described by bongaarts (1978). He
claimed that 96 percent of fertility could be explained by these four
factors. In typical traditional society where fertility levels are closed to
natural fertility, two determinants and in non traditional or modern society
affected by induced abortion and prevalence of contraceptive use. (cited in
Upreti, 2012)
Suggestions:
Review the new literatures (Within last ten years or 2011 onwards)
Use APA style (7th edition ) for citation
Review relevant literatures only
2.3 Conceptual Framework

In every setting fertility is changing with the process of development, so
uncontrolled fertility changes into control fertility, but only the fertility is
not the cause to maintain the overall fertility status of women (Magar
community). On the basis of its purposes the following conceptual
framework will be formed.
Fig-1: Conceptual Framework of the study
Chapter III
Research Methodology
Methodology is the main organ of the study. Proper research methodology

is needed for successful research. This chapter describes the research
design, the source of study, nature, and sources of data, methods of data
collection, and method of data analysis.
3.1 The Research Design
The study was descriptive along with exploratory research design.
Descriptive research design was used to gather qualitative information and
exploratory research design was used to know the respondent’s view and
ideas in the study area. It was the arrangement of conditions for the
collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance
to the research purpose with economy in procedure.
3.2 The Source of Study
Kaligandaki Rural Municipality was chosen as the study area. The study
was concentrated only on the fertility behavior of the Magar community of
Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in Syangja district. The majority of people
of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality belong to Magar Community. Required
data for the study had been collected from Rural Municipality profile,
health post and respondent’s society and from different parts of
Kaligandaki Rural Municipality. Kaligandaki Rural Municipality lies in
Syangja district which is situated at Gandaki Zone in Western
Development Region. The Rural Municipality is located in the western
part of the Syangja district. There is one higher secondary school and five
secondary schools. The inhabitants of Rural Municipality are constituted
of different ethnic groups like Magar, Brahmin, Chhetris, Dalit (BK,
Nepali) as well as many occupational groups. Most of the population
depends on subsistence agriculture and other professions. Most of the land
is cultivated but very little land is irrigated and the remaining is un-
irrigated due to a lack of irrigation facilities. People are not growing
various crops in large quantities. Most of the land depends on rainy water.
Naturally, it is extremely beautiful with dense forests, rivers, streams and
hills are the natural beauties of this Rural Municipality which attracts and
fascinates the people.
3.3 Nature and Sources of Data
This study was based on primary as well as secondary sources of
information. The primary source of information was collected from a
questionnaire survey, interview and focus group discussion whereas
secondary information was collected from reliable books, village profiles,
CBS books, journals, internet, thesis etc.
3.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure
According to the 2011 census, there were 1,993 households in Kaligandaki
Rural Municipality. Among them, 172 households were taken for the
sample by using simple random sampling. Only Magar married women of
reproductive age were selected as the informants/respondents.
3.5 Construction and Validation of the Tools and Instruments
Primary data was collected from the field survey for the purpose of
receiving real information on the fertility behavior of the Magar
community in the Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Syangja district. For
the purpose of collecting data, interview, structural questionnaire formats
were developed as shown in the appendix as the tool of the study and the
improvement and validation of the tool was done with the help of a related
supervisor. Data were collected from surveys, direct interviews with
respondents, and observations as well.
3.5.1 Questionnaire
The questionnaire was prepared to collect all the information to fulfill the
objective of the study. In this study a structural questionnaire was
developed and was asked to get information regarding the fertility
behavior of different stratified groups. The questionnaire was used during
fieldwork. The questionnaire was prepared in such a way that it provided
both quantitative and qualitative information.
3.5.2 Interview
The interview is one of the widely used methods of obtaining information
from the respondents. Respondents were interviewed to deliver their
opinions regarding their personal information, educational attainment,
fertility behaviour, socioeconomic status and age at marriage, family
planning practice and occupation etc.
3.5.3 Observation
Participant observation was employed during fieldwork. An attempt was
made to observe respondents' fertility status, age at marriage, number of
children they had and the use of family planning tools to control
population growth as well.
3.6 Data Collection Procedure
The primary data were collected with the help of a structured questionnaire
applied by direct personal interview with respondents.
3.7 Data Analysis and Interpretations Procedure
Data analysis is the most critical constituent of any research work. In this
study both primary and secondary data were collected. After gathering
rough data, data were classified and coded so far. After classification and
coding onwards were collected, analyzed with available statistical tools
and were presented with bar diagrams, pie charts, tables, and interpreted in
frequency and percentage.
CHAPTER-IV
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Fertility is a biological factor. It depends upon various factors. This
chapter analyzes and interprets socio-economic and demographic
characteristics with women's fertility status. Family status also determines
the status of women. That’s why household information was also collected
and analyzed in order to relate with women's fertility and family planning.
4.1 General Introduction to the Study Area
Kaligandaki Rural Municipality is situated in the western part of the
galyang nagarpalika. The total area of Syangja district is 1,164 km 2 out of
which Rural Municipality is spread in 73.51 square kilometer. The total
population of this Rural Municipality is 21,728.(Kaligandaki Rural
Municipality profile 2068). Among these Magar belongs to about 50
percent and remaining are Brahamin, Chhetri, Damai and kami castes.
Majority of the population rely on agriculture followed by foreign
employees, government employees, business and labor.
Table 1: ward wise distribution of Magar household (with sample size)
Ward no Total Magar Sample
households households
1 30 10
2 160 45
3 19 5
4 55 20
5 35 12
6 135 55
7 69 25
Total 503 172
Source : Field survey 2021
4.2 Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents.

It includes family size and types of family, religion, occupation, land-
holding status, household facility, income, education status and so on were
described.
4.2.1 Family Size and Types of Family
Family size and type of family are related to each other. Size of the family
in the nuclear and extended family may to a great extent. The concept of
nuclear family size is increasing in modern society. Most of the families
are within nuclear families i.e father, mother and their unmarried sons and
daughter. This community also follows the nuclear family society. But a
few families are in traditional family society. They have a joint family
system. In modern society people believe that small families can only
easily get different opportunities than big families. Respondents were
asked about the family size in their household. The responses are tabulated
in table 2.
Table 2: Percentage distribution of respondents household by family size.
No. of the family No. of households Percentage
member in the
household
Less than 4 48 27.9
4-6 85 49.4
7-9 24 14.0
10+ 15 8.7
Total 172 100
Source : field survey 2021
Table 2 shows that the largest number of families have 11 persons and
above but they are in a few households. Most households have 3,4 and 5
persons which are not shown in the table because of the vagueness. Half of
the household have four to six members which account for 49.4 percent.
About 28 percent of the household have less than four members and about
9 percent of the household found having 10 and more members.
4.2.2 Religion
Nepal is a country with the multi-religions people. But most of the people
are Hindu. At national level more than 80 percent (81.3 percent) people are
Hindu according to census 2011. The proportion was low in previous
census years which were 80.8 percent in 2001. This shows that the
proportion of Hindu in increasing to the total population. The proportion
for the other religions like Buddha, Kristchian and Islam has been
increasing. According to the religions also people may have different
beliefs which directly or indirectly affect the fertility and knowledge of the
individuals. In this study also the respondents were asked their religious
status. The responses are tabulated in table 3.
Table 3: Percentage distribution of households by religion.
Religion Household Percentage
Hindu 138 80.2
Buddha 24 13.9
Christian 8 4.7
Islam 2 1.2
Total 172 100
It is clear from the above table 3, that most of the respondents are Hindu
which accounted for 80.2 percentages. The percentage is about equal with
the national average (81.3 percent) in 2011. The following figure for
Buddhist which account 13.9 percent. This is more than the national
average (9 percent). Similarly 4.7 percent and 1.2 percent respondents
were found to be Christian religion and Islam religion.
4.2.3 Economic Status

In some cases, economic status is considered as a determinant of fertility.
It plays a vital role in fertility behavior. In the Magar community the
researcher found that high economic status households have few children
but in the low economic status it is opposite. But in a few cases high
economic status households have more children. It is negligible. In this
section status of occupation, income, landholding status and domestic
animals are described based on the respondents responses.
4.2.4 Living status
Respondents were asked whether they are living currently in their own
house or not, The responses are tabulated in table 4.
Table 4: Percentage distribution by living status.
Living status Households Percent
Own house 159 92.4
Others house 13 7.6
Total 172 100
The table 4 shows that the majority of the household 92.4 percent have
their own house and the rest 7.6 percent have no house at all.
4.2.5 Types of house
The respondents who said to have their own house were further asked
about the type of their house. The below table showed that most of the
respondents have been living in a semi-pakki house which is depicted in
table 5.
Table 5: Distribution of respondents by type of houses.

Type of house Number Percent
Pakki 28 16.3
Semi-pakki 127 73.8
Kachchi 17 9.9
Total 172 100
Table 5 shows that most of the respondents' houses are semi-pakki,
accounting is 73.8 percent, pakki house 16.3 and the rest have kachchi
house 9.9 percent. This shows that they have lower family status.
4.2.6 Land holding status
In order to check the respondents' economic status, respondents were asked
several questions among which the land holding status was also asked to
term. The responses are presented in table 6.
Table 6: Distribution of respondents by land holding status
Land holding status Household Percent
Holding land?
Yes 161 93.6
No 11 6.4
Total 172 100
Being an agricultural society most of the respondents are found to be
holding land more or less, table 6 is evident that 93.6 percent of the
respondents are holding land whereas the rest 6.4 percent of them have no
land at all.
Fig 2: Land holding status
Percent
5 to 7 ropani
8 to 10 ropani
less than 5
above 14 ropani
Accordingly, among the respondents who have land were asked about the
size of land they are holding. Forty one percent of them are found to be
holding 5-7 ropani of land followed by 8-10 ropani accounting 22.3
percent, less than 5 ropani accounted for 20.7 percent and 14 ropani and
above 8.2 percent.
4.2.7. Cultivation of Other's Land
The households who have no land or less land which is not sufficient to
feed the family members may have cultivated other's land to support the
family. Considering the fact respondents were also asked about the land
holding status. The responses are tabulated in table 7.
Table 7: Percentage distributing of the household by cultivation status of
other's land
Cultivating other's Household Percent
land
Yes 28 16.3
No 144 83.7
Total 172 100
Table 7 shows that more than one-fifth of the households are holding
other's land but the other of them are not cultivating other's land.
4.2.8. Household by Domestic Animals
Having domestic animals is also a source of household income. Some
families who have less land may sustain themselves by selling domestic
animals. In order to know their economic status and source of income
respondents were questioned about the domestic animals that had at the
time of research. The respondents are tabulated in table 8.
Table 8: Percentage distribution of household by domestic animals.
Status of domestic No. of Percent
animals households
Have domestic animal?
Yes 154 89.5
No 18 10.5
Total 172 100
If yes how many
Buffalos 160 93.1
Cows 35 20.3
Hen/Duck 60 34.9
Goats 165 95.9
Table 8 shows that 89.5 percent of respondents' households have raised
domestic animals but the remaining 10.5 percent have no domestic animals
at all. Among the households respondents were asked about the rise of
domestic animals. About 93 percent of them have buffalos, followed by 20
percent have cows, 35 percent have hen/duck and 96 percent have goats.
This shows that they have been fully dependent on animal husbandry.
4.2.9. Household Facilities

Household facilities also indicate the economic status of the family.
Economically well off families may have better aspects too. Respondents
were asked about the availability of some important media and facilities in
their home. The responses are depicted in fig 3.
Fig, 3: Distribution of the respondents of household facilities.
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fig 3, indicates that the majority of the household have a radio facility
which accounted for 82 percent followed by electricity 70.3 percent and
television 54.6 percent, computer 12 percent, mobile phone 65 percent,
internet 6 percent . however 4 percent of the household are found not
having any of the facilities.
4.2.10 Household by Income and Expenditure
In order to know the economic status of a household, household heads or
respondents were asked about their household income or expenditure. This
is very difficult to find out the actual income or expenditure because some
want to underestimate their income. In this case the respondents were
asked to tell clearly, taking time. In the response when they told their
income less than expenditure, they were less questioned. As far as
possible, researchers have tried to collect the data on income in the
respondents household which is presented in table 9.
Table 9: Percentage distribution of household by monthly income or
expenditure
monthly No of Percent monthly No of Percent
income household expenditur household
e
Rs <2000 4 2.3 Rs <2000 4 2.3
2000-3000 9 5.2 2000-3000 9 5.2
3000-4000 22 12.7 3000-4000 30 17.4
4000-5000 38 22.1 4000-5000 35 20.4
5000-7000 27 15.8 5000-7000 56 32.6
7000- 31 18.1 7000- 20 11.6
10000 10000
Above 33 19.2 Above 18 10.5
10000 10000
Don't know 8 4.6 Don't know 0 0
Total 172 100 Total 172 100
Table 9 shows that most of the households have more expenditure than
income as well. They may have indebted in order to run the family
smoothly. This might be because they don’t want to tell their actual
income and expenditures. However 19,2 percent of respondents
households have more than 10,000 income but only 10.5 percent the
respondents said that their household has 5000 to 7000 expenses per
month.
4.2.11. Access to Drinking Water and Sanitary Facility
Public health is directly related to drinking water and sanitation. It means
that health depends on clean water and good sanitation. It is proven that
more than 60 percent of diseases are carried by impure water. Thousands
of children die each year due to diarrhea, dysentery, cholera etc. These are
mainly due to consumption of the contaminated water. Because of high
infant mortality in the community women may give birth to more children
thinking that if one died, the other would survive. Water is life and impure
water may cause the loss of life and health impurity. Respondents were
also asked the source of drinking water they are using. The responses are
tabulated in table 10.
Table 10: Percentage distribution of households by source of drinking
water.
Source Number of Percent
household
Piped water 146 84.8
Kuwa 26 15.6
River 0 0
Total 172 100
It can be seen from table 10 that most of the households are using piped
water. The proportion using piped water is accounted for 84.8 percent and
15.6 percent each of the households are using kuwa. But no one used river
water. This shows that the drinking water status of the study household is
good.
4.2.12 Toilet Facility
The respondents were also asked about the toilet facility whether they have
it in their home or not. The respondents are tabulated in table 11.
Table 11: Percentage distribution of household by toilet facility
Toilet facility Number of Percent
household
Yes 160 93
No 12 7
Total 172 100
It is clear from the table 11, that slightly 93 percent of the respondents
households have toilet facility and the rest 7 percent have not,
4.2.13 Education Status

Education is one of the most fundamental means for alleviating poverty,
gender inequality and bringing improvement of the standard of living
through different socio-economic activities. Education enhances access to
information that may be necessary to conduct various essential activities in
daily life and work. Literacy status has a direct impact over the fertility
performance of the women.
Table 12: Distribution of education of status of respondents
Education status No of Percent
respondents
Illiterate 20 11.7
Literate 152 88.3
Total 172 100
Above table clearly shows that 88 percent are literate respondents and only
12 percent are illiterate.
Table 13: Percentage distribution of the respondents by education
attainment
Educational attainment No of Percent
respondents
Literate but not 16 10.5
schooling.
Primary 20 13.3
Lower secondary 25 16.4
Secondary 33 21.7
SLC 37 24.3
Intermediate 11 7.3
Bachelor and above 10 6.5
Total 152 100
Fig, 4: Educational Status
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
no
5
percent
0
lin
g
ar
y ry ry slc iat
e
ov
e
oo ir m n da n da ed ab
ch p co co m d
ts r se se ter an
no in r
ut we elo
b lo ch
te ba
ra
iL te

Above table clearly showed that the majority of respondents attained 61.9
percent under SLC followed by SLC 24.3 percent and illiterate 11.7
percent, higher education 13.8 and literate only 10.5 percent. So due to low
educational status women are always backward in society.
4.2.14 Occupational Status of Respondents
Occupation is one of the most important means to decrease the living
standard of life. Women's occupation also determines the status of women.
Many of the attitudes, thinking and decision-making power depend upon
their occupational status of respondents.
Table 14: Percentage distribution of the occupational status of respondents
Occupational status No of respondents Percent
Agriculture 96 55.8
Business 6 3.5
Service/job 31 18.1
Housewife 24 13.9
Student 15 8.7
Total 172 100
Fig 5: Occupation
Occupation
Agriculture
Business
Service
Housewife
Student

Above fig 5 showed that more than 50 percent of respondents are engaged
in agriculture. About 14 percent of them are housewives i.e. which are not
shown in any profession. Only 3.5 percent of them are involved in the
business sector and 18.1 percent are involved in the service/job sector and
about 9 percent are students.
4.2.15 Marital Status
Marriage is an association which admits man and woman to family which
is important to organize family structure.
Table 15: Distribution of marital status of respondents
Marital status No of respondents Percentage
Unmarried 14 8.1
Married 131 76.2
Widow 27 15.7
Total 172 100
Table 15 reveals that out of 172 respondents 76.2 percent are married
respondents followed by 15.7 percent are widow and 8.1 percent
respondents are unmarried.
4.3 Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents
Demographic characteristics include the age group, age at first marriage,
age at first menstruation etc. Fertility behavior includes no. of sufficiency
children, no. of ideal children, knowledge and use of family planning
devices etc.
4.3.1 Age
Respondents' age plays an important role in determining fertility behavior.
Because only the females of reproductive age can bear a child and women
of 20-29 years of age are actively involved in the activities because of
which age specific fertility rate is found the highest among these groups.
Table 16 shows the age distribution of respondents by 5 year age groups.
Table 16: Percentage distribution of the respondents by five year age
group.
Age group Respondents Percent
15-19 7 4.1
20-24 25 14.6
25-29 46 26.8
30-34 34 19.7
35-39 27 15.6
40-44 17 9.8
45-49 16 9.4
Total 172 100
Fig. 6: Age Group of the Respondents
50
45
40
35
30
25 Respondents
Percentage
20
15
10
5
0
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

It is clear to note from the table 16 that more proportion of the respondents
(26.8 percent) are between the age groups of 25-29 year followed by
between the age groups of 30-34 years (19.7 percent), between the age
groups of 35-39 years (15.6 percent), between the age groups of 20-24
years (14.6 percent), between the age groups of 40-44 years of (9.8
percent), between the age groups of 15-19 years of (4.1 percent). This
shows that more respondents are from the 25-29 age group.
4.3.2 Age at First Menstruation
Age at first menstruation also can play an important role in determining
women's fertility status. If a girl gets first menstruation at an earlier age,
parents worry and they think about her marriage in such a country with
deep rooted traditional values. Respondents were asked about the age of
their first menstruation which is presented in table 17,
Table 17: Percentage distribution of the respondents by age at first

menstruation.
Age at first respondents Percentage
menstruation
13 19 11.1
14 120 69.7
15 33 19.2
Total 172 100
Table 17 shows that all of the respondents got their first menstruation at
the age of 12-15. Most of them got their first menstruation at 14 years
which accounted for 69.7 percent. Similarly 19.2 percent of the women got
their first menstruation at 15 years of their age and 11.1 percent at 13 years
old.
4.3.3 Age at Marriage
Age at marriage is an important factor for the determination of family
planning and fertility. Nepalese society where marriage is thought to be
universal and is taken as a main task of parents, there is a great role of
marriage to determine women's status because of the fertility situation. It is
almost universal that lowering the age at marriage results in a higher
number of children ever born. The women who tend to marry early in their
reproductive ages are likely to bear more children than that of women who
marry lately. In the study area, the age at marriage of women is found to be
at an early age. It may be because of the traditional belief towards making
girls married before the one set of first menstruation. Table 18 represents
the age at marriage of the respondents.
Table 18: Percentage distribution of respondents by age at marriage.

Age at marriage No of respondents Percentage
< 15 years 5 2.9
15-19 114 66.3
20-24 45 26.2
25 + years 8 4.6
Total 172 100
From table 18, it is clear to note that the majority of the respondents were
found married at the age of 15-19 years which accounts for 66 percent. The
dete is followed by 20-24 years 26 percent and 4.6 percent each of the
respondents were married above age 25 and 3 percent respondents below
age 15 years.
4.3.4 Age at First Birth
Only marriage may not be a factor which affects the life of women. For
example if a woman marries in her younger age, but she does not give
birth to a child until 20th of her age. She may be better off than the woman
who marries on her 17th and bears a child on the 18th. That's why the gap
between marriage and first birth also affects the fertility status of women.
Respondents were asked about their age at first marriage and the result
from the study population is given in table 19.
Table 19: Distribution of respondents by age at first birth
Age at first birth No of Percent
respondents
15-19 years 51 29.7
20-24 years 102 59.3
25-29 years 19 11.0
Total 172 100
Table 19: clearly shows that the majority of respondents (59 percent) gave
birth to their child at the age between 20-24 years, followed by 15-19 years
(29.7 percent) and 25-29 years (11 percent).
4.3.5 Number of Children Ever Born
Number of live births also determines the use and non use of contraception
and desire for children which affect the life of women and determines their
status. If women have already achieved the desired number of children,
they are likely to use a permanent method of contraception and those who
have not achieved the desired number of children, and who have not
achieved, are not likely to use contraceptives or they want to use birth
spacing methods. The national CEB is still high in Nepal. In the study also
the women are found having more children. The status of fertility among
the study population is given below.
Table 20: Percentage distributions of the respondents by number of
children born alive till the time of survey.
No of children Respondents Percent
1 36 20.9
2 33 19.2
3 48 27.9
4 12 6.9
5 7 4.1
6 20 11.6
More than 7 16 9.4
Total 172 100
Table 20 indicated the poor situation of fertility among the sampled
population. The proportion of women having seven and more children is
found 9.4 percent, about 28 percent of them are found having three
children followed by two children which accounts for 19.2 percent, about
21 percent of the respondents reported that they have only one child but
11,6 percent of the respondents are found having six children. This shows
that the child bearing performance of the study population is higher.
4.3.6 Child Loss Experience
Loss of a child has many effects on the family and health of the mother.
Status of women is also determined by her child loss experience which
determines the fertility behavior of a couple as well. If one couple
frequently loses their children they tend to give birth to more children
because they cannot be assured that all of their children will survive and if
they tend to give more birth, they don’t give importance to using family
planning methods. Respondents were asked about the child loss experience
if yes then how many of what sex. But the number by sex is very low that
is why only the number of child loss is presented in the following table 21.
Table 21: Percentage distribution of respondents by child loss experience.
Child loss experience Respondents Percentage
Child loss? 32 18.6
Yes 140 81.4
No 172 100
Total
How many
1 13 48.1
2 12 44.5
3 2 7.4
Total 27 100
Table 21 clearly shows that about 19 percent of the respondents have child
loss experience while remaining 81 percent have no such experiences at
all. Similarly about half of the respondents who have lost a child have lost
one child (48.1 percent), have lost 2 children (44.5 percent) and 7.4 percent
have lost three children.
4.3.7 Knowledge of Family Planning Methods

Knowledge of family planning methods is an important factor especially to
the couples. Knowledge is the first step to decide the use of family
planning methods. NDHS 1996 and NDHS 2001 have found that
knowledge of family planning methods in Nepal is almost universal among
women of reproductive age. But the knowledge in the study area is
observed lower than that of the national average. Maybe this is because in
remote areas and the age of study women are of older ages. The
respondents were asked whether they have heard of family planning
methods, the responses are presented in table 22.
Table 22: Percentage distribution of respondents by knowledge of family
planning.
Heard of F.P Respondents Percent
Yes 129 75.0
No 43 25.0
Total 172 100
Currently
Yes 34 35.4
No 62 64.5
Total 96 100
Table 22 shows that about 75 percent of the respondents have heard of
family planning methods whereas 25 percent of them have not heard of the
method. This reason behind it may be the proportion of women who have
not heard about FP if too high. The reason may be that the proportion of
older women is high among the study population and they are illiterate.
Similarly, 35.4 percent of the heard women are found currently using
family planning methods whereas 64.5 percent of them have no currently
using family planning methods.
4.3.8 Heard of Methods

Among the 96 respondents who had said to have heard any one of the FP.
Methods were further asked about the methods they have heard. The result
from the study population is presented in table 23.
Table 23: Percentage distribution of respondents by heard of FP methods
Methods Respondents Percent
Natural methods 15 15.6
Condom 87 90.6
Pills 89 92.7
Kamal chakki 82 85.4
IUD 68 70.9
Female sterilization 35 36.4
Male sterilization 33 34.3
Depo-provera 28 29.1
It is evident from table 23 that the majority of the women who have heard
pills account for 92.7 percent followed by condom (90.6 percent) and
kamal chakki (85.4 percent). Similarly, approximately three fourth of the
respondents have heard about IUD. Slightly more percent of females
claimed to have heard about female sterilization (36.4 percent) than male
sterilization (34.3 percent). The least proportion of the respondents is
found to have heard about natural methods.
4.3.9 Source of Information of Family Planning
Radio is the most popular source of information. An overwhelming
majority of (98 percent) followed by the respondents from TV (51.08
percent). Very little proportion of respondents has heard about the family
planning method through newspapers (7.29 percent).This may be because
either there is no availability of newspapers or they cannot read properly
(table 24).
Table 24: Percentage distribution of the respondents by source of
information on F.P.
Source of No of Percent
information on F.P respondents
Radio with FM 94 98
TV 50 51.08
Newspaper Friends 7 7.29
19 19.19
Note: Events are mutually not exclusive. Table 24 shows that 19.19
percent of respondents have heard about family planning methods through
friends. Though other sources of information of family planning are used,
radio with FM is the most popular as the overwhelming majority of
women are found getting knowledge about family planning through this
source.
4.3.10 Ever use of F.P
Use of contraceptives is one of the most important proximate determinants
of level of fertility, Ever use of family planning methods. It is generally
assumed that use of FP methods plays the principal role in transmission of
lower fertility. Thus, use of family planning methods may have significant
impact to manage the rapid growing population and environmental
problems. Most of the underdeveloped and developing countries are out of
its proper use because of the tradition and low level of education about
contraceptive methods. Among the Nepalese women, however the
contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is increasing each year, the CPR is
still low and still there is high unmet demand for FP methods. Respondents
in this study also were asked about the use of FP methods. The
respondents are tabulated in table 25.
Table 25: Percentage distribution of respondents by ever use of family
planning methods
Ever use of FP Respondents Percentage
methods
Yes 58 60.41
No 38 39.59
Total 96 100
Use method Respondents Percentage
Condom 12 20.69
Pills 8 13.79
Female sterilization 10 17.24
Male sterilization 12 20.69
Depo-provera 15 25.06
IUD 1 1.73
Total 58 100
Fig. 7 Use of Family Planning Tools
30
25
20
15
10 No of user
5 Percent
0
m lls n n
er
a D
do Pi tio tio v IU
n iil za iil za r o
Co r r -p
ste ste po
la e ale De
m M
Fe
It is clear in table 25 and fig 7 that the ever use of among the study women
(58 respondents in 96 women) is low. Only 60.41 percent of the women
who have heard FP methods recorded that they have ever used a method of
FP.
Among the respondents who have ever used any methods, a higher
proportion have used Depo-provera accounting for 25.86 percent, followed
by male sterilization and 20..69 percent, pills 12.79 percent and female
sterilization 17.24 percent. Least 1.73 percent of people are found to have
ever used IUD.
4.3.10 Cause of Not Using FP Methods.
Causes of not using FP methods find out the barriers in using family
planning methods. In Nepal the condition of women is deplorable because
of which they are compelled to accept whatever the family members want,
especially husband and mother in law. Because of low literacy and poor
economic status they are ignorant and even shy to use FP methods. In
order to find out the obstacles using the FP method, among the respondents
who had knowledge about FP and not ever used the methods were asked
why they did not use any tool. The result from the field is shown in table
26.
Table 26: Percentage distribution of the respondents by reason of not using
FP methods.
Reason of not using Number Percent
FP methods
Husband does not 9 23.7
want
Desire of children 7 18.4
Death of husband 7 18.4
Husband is out 5 13.1
Stop of menstruation 4 10.6
Shyness 4 10.6
Do not know 2 5.2
Total 38 100
From table 26 it can be understood that women are dominated by their
husbands. More proportion of the women (23.7 percent) respondents that
their husband do not want to use FP methods. About 18 percent of the
respondents said that because of the desire for children and the death of
their husbands. They have not used any methods. Similarly, 13 percent of
the respondents said that they have not used any methods because their
husbands are out and 10.6 percent each of the respondents reported that
first they have no knowledge when FP methods became popular, they have
paused menstruation and because of shyness. However 5.2 percent of the
respondents don’t know why they have not ever used FP methods.
4.3.11 Ideal Number of Children
Fertility behavior of the women depends upon the number of children they
want and which determines the prevalence of contraceptives. In the study
area, it is found that more women who have more than two boys and two
girls, the ideal number of boy and girl children for them are the same. The
women who had more girls were desiring for two or three sons and not
having girls were desiring for one to three girls. Children were willing if
they had two sons and one daughter they would regret having more
children. The result of the findings about the desired children is tabulated
27.
Table 27: Percentage distribution of the respondents by their view on the
ideal number of children.
Ideal no of children Respondents Percent
0 -
1 -
2 91 52.9
3 51 29.6
4 30 17.5
Total 172 100
It is clear to note from table 27 that no women want less than 2 children
and they are found desiring up to four children as well. More than half
(52.9 percent) women want to have 2 children, that means for them 2
children are enough, for 29.6 percent of the respondents have 3 children
and 17.5 percent said 4 children as ideal children for them.
4.3.12 Place of Delivery
Women deliver their baby either in their house or in hospital. Ninety
percent of births in Nepal are delivered at home (MOH 2001). For the
study area a question: where did you gave your last birth? It was asked
to the respondents who have had at least a live birth. Nearly 85 percent of
respondents reported they had their last birth at home. About 12 percent of
respondents are found to have delivered at hospital. Similarly, women who
have given more births are found to be delivering from home and women
who have less no. of children are found delivering from hospital. In the
hospital up to two births are found to have been delivered by a woman
while more than 5 births were given in home by a woman.
Table 28: Place of delivery
Place of delivery No of Percent
respondents
Home 146 84.8
Hospital 21 12.3
Relative's house 5 2.9
Total 172 100
4.3.13 Prenatal Check-up Status
Prenatal checkups are very important to make a healthy pregnancy, safe
labor and safe delivery as well as for a healthy outcome of pregnancy.
Most of the women married and became pregnant before the age of 20
years which is a health risk to child and mother. Similarly, most of the
women have not got prenatal checkups. It may cause fetal loss, fetal
abnormality, malnutrition of mother and baby. Respondents were asked
about the status of prenatal check up and the women who said to have
prenatal check up were also asked about the place from where they got
prenatal check up. The responses are tabulated in the table no. 29.
Table 29: Percentage distribution of the respondents by status and place of
prenatal check up.
Prenatal check up and No of Percent
place respondents
Prenatal check up 95 55.2
Yes
No 77 44.8
Total 172 100
If Yes, Where?
Health post 75 79
Hospital 20 21
Total 95 100
It is clear from table 29 that slightly more than half percent of the
respondents have prenatal check up during their delivery for at least one
birth which accounts for 55.2 percent, but another 44.8 percent of the
respondents have never visited any health institutions for the prenatal
check up. From the table that among the respondents who have visited for
prenatal checkup 79 percent in health post and 21 percent in hospital.
4.4 Relationship of CEB with Different Variables.
In this section, a relationship with different socio-economic and
demographic variables has been tried to establish. A special emphasis is
given to another of CEB. According to the number of household members,
respondents' education, occupation and use of the family planning methods
relationship with CEB has been established for each variable.
4.4.1 Age and CEB
Obviously age is a determinant factor for CEB. All of the studies have
shown that with the increase of respondents age, CEB increases. CEB is
the average number of children ever born for the women at the time of
survey. A relationship of CEB with the respondents age is presented in the
below.
Table 30: Percentage of CEB by respondents
Age group CEB No of
respondents
15-19 1.4 5
20-24 1.72 37
25-29 2.0 44
30-34 2.5 34
35-39 2.6 21
40-44 3.0 16
45-49 3.3 12
Total 2.34 172
It is clear from table 30 that with the increase in age of the respondents
fertility has been increased. Age and fertility are positively related. Higher
the age of the mother, the higher the number of births will be. It is because
higher age women would have experienced a longer reproductive span.
There may be factors such as younger women may have been exposed to
family planning knowledge and higher educational attainment compared to
their senior compartments. From the table women in the highest age group
(45-49) have highest mean CEB (3.3) and women in the lowest age group
(15-19) have lowest mean CEB (1.4). The trend of mean CEB has
increased positively with the increase in age of women. This shows that in
a constant way most of the women bear children till 40 years of age and
some women stop giving birth but some others do not stop. That's why
there is a gap between such women in terms of fertility.
4.4.2 Family Size and CBE
Family size also may play a vital role in determining CEB of women
because when the family size becomes higher, the family may have low
family status which leads to high CEB of women. Strictly saying higher
CEB itself represents the greater family size. A relationship of CEB with
the respondents family size is presented in the table below.
Table 31: Percentage distribution of CEB by respondents family size
Family size CEB Household
Below 4 1.73 35
4-6 1.95 86
7-9 2.33 40
10-12 3.0 7
Above 12 2.6 4
Total 2.34 172
Table 31 is evident that with the increase in family size CEB of women
has also increased. In a household where 10-12 members of a family are
there, the women's fertility is found among the household where there are
4-6 members in the family.
4.4.3 Age at First Marriage and CEB
Age at first marriage is also one of the influencing factors determining
fertility or CEB. It is an associated fact that women who marry in the
earlier age have more children than women who marry in later ages
because firstly those women who marry in earlier ages are immature and
don’t know about the pros and cons of early child bearing. Secondly, they
use their most of the reproductive period keeping in view the same view
the same thing, a relationship with CEB has been established which is
shown in table 32.
Table 32: Age at first marriage and CEB.

Age at marriage CEB Respondents
Below 15 2.50 5
15-19 2.26 114
20-24 2.58 45
25-29 2.0 8
Total 2.34 172
Above table clearly shows that the earlier age at marriage, the greater the
number of children. An average of 2.5 CEB has been observed among the
women who had married below 15 years of their age. Similarly, CEB has
been decreasing with the increasing age at marriage. More importantly,
only 2 CEB has been observed for the women who had married in the age
group of 25-29.
4.4.4 Education and CEB
In this study literate were categorized as the person who can write their
name and simply know about small behavioral calculations and illiterate
were categorized as the respondents who cannot write their name and
pronounce even ka, kha …… A relationship with respondents with their
education has attempted to establish as shown in table 33.
Table 33: Distribution of CEB according to respondents education
Education CEB Respondents
Illiterate 2.30 25
Literate but not 2.65 17
schooling
Primary level 2.80 18
Lower secondary 2.30 25
level
Secondary level 2.21 32
SLC 2.41 35
SLC + 1.72 20
Total 2.34 172
Most studies have found that higher the education, lower the number of
children. This study also is no exception but up to primary level of
education, no great impact of education has been observed. Rather the
women with primary education are found to have the highest CEB which
is 2.80 children. Women with lower secondary education are found to have
less CEB than those having secondary education but again with women's
education higher than SLC has less CEB.
4.4.5 Occupation and CEB
Occupation also determines the fertility behavior of an individual. The
effect of occupation on fertility was found to be much powerful. Studies
have shown that people engaged in agriculture and business have more
fertility performance than any other occupation. In most cases, it is
observed that people with more education are engaged in service/job,
business while illiterate and less educated people are engaged in
agriculture and house wife.
Table 34: Mean CEB by occupation
Occupation CEB Respondents
Agriculture 3.15 96
Business 1.65 5
Service/job 2.25 31
Housewife 2.79 25
Student 1.85 15
Total 2.34 172
The above table shows that women who are engaged in agriculture have
more children and the CEB is observed as 3.15. Among the women who
are engaged in service and business, CEB is observed as 1.65 and 2.25.
4.4.6 Use of Family Planning and CEB
Using family planning methods is to control the birth. That’s why, it is
common that the women who use family planning methods have fewer
children and others have larger numbers of children. A relationship of
CEB with women's use and non-use of family planning methods has been
shown in table 35.
Table 35: Use of family planning and CEB
Using FP CEB Respondents
Yes 2.28 78
No 2.50 94
Total 2.34 172
Table 35 clearly shows that women who said to have used 2.28 but the
women who did not have used FP methods have 2.50 CEB.
CHAPTER-V
SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the summary of the findings, conclusions and
recommendations. Based on findings and conclusions, recommendations
are made and according to conclusions drawn, recommendations are
attempted in order to improve the women's status of the study area.
5.1 Summary of the Findings
The following presentation highlights the characteristics as obtained from
the data collected.
Most households have 4 to 6 members in a family. Among the
respondents, the household average number of males is observed to be less
than the average number of females.
Most of the respondents are Hindu living together in their own house.
Majority of the respondents are living in their own semi-pakki house.
Among the respondents who have their own land are found holding 5-7
ropani of land. Slightly, more than one-fifth of the respondents are holding
others' land.
Most of the respondents have raised domestic animals in which the
proportion of buffalo is found to be highest among the domestic animals.
Radio is an easily accessible means of communication. Respondents spend
about Rs. 5000 to 7000 per month.
Piped water is the source of drinking water for the people. Toilet facility is
available to all of Magar communities. Most people were found literate.
Agriculture is the main occupation of people in Kaligandaki Rural
Municipality. Most of the respondents were found to be in the age group
between 25-29 years. Women in this community got their first
menstruation at age between 12-15 years, were married at the age of 15-19
years and they produced more children at 20-24 years. The child bearing
performance of the study population is higher. About 19 percent of the
respondents have child loss experience. Family planning methods are
easily available to them which they have heard. Among the methods of
family planning, pills are the most commonly found method which is
heard most commonly from television.
To view the use of family planning methods, women often use the methods
of family planning in contrast to it, their husbands hesitate to use the tools
of family planning. They desired to get 2 and more children with an
optimum of 4 children with the desire of one daughter. They get their
children at home rather than at hospital. Slightly, more than half percent of
the respondents have prenatal checkups during their delivery for at least
one birth.
Highest mean child ever born (CEB) was found 3.3 where as lowest CEB
was found at 1.4 which is found increasing with increase in age of women.
Women's fertility is found at 3.0 children on an average. A good balance in
women's fertility is found among the household where there are 4-6
members in the family. The greater number of children is closely
associated with early marriage. An average of 2.5 CEB has been observed
among the women, who had marriage below 15 years of their age. Up to
primary level of education, no great impact of education has been
observed. Rather, the women with primary education are found to have the
highest number of children. This is found in the decreasing trend in
increase in educational attainment of women. Women engaged in
agriculture activity have more children and the CEB is observed as 3.15.
Women who said to have ever used FP methods have CEB of 2.28 but
among non-users 2.50 CEB is observed.
5.2 Conclusion
The educational attainment of respondents is found to be low because of
which they are far behind in any respect of knowledge. This may be
because more women were selected from the late ages, Female sterilization
is found rather nominal. This is because male do not allow them because
they suspect the females to be involved in sexual behavior thinking that
they are safe.
Relationships between respondents' education and knowledge of
contraceptives are found significant. It also suggests that couples in the
study area tend to use contraceptives when they have achieved the desired
number of children.
Fertility among the study women was found higher. This is because of
giving high preference to sons, low level of educational attainment, low
change of holding occupation of women and overall lower status of
women. Overall, the society in the study area is still backward, still the
mean number of ideal children and the children ever born are very high. In
the study area, proper supply of contraceptives is also found to be poorer.
5.3 Recommendations
The study was related to fertility and the factor affecting fertility on the
basis of the above finding and conclusions from the study the following
recommendation can be made.
According to the present study, it was found that the literacy status of
women of this community is low. It is clear that female education has an
important role for overall development and population control. So the IEC
program should be launched in this community with a view to target for
women's reproductive and fertility education.
Age at marriage is also low in this community which automatically
increases fertility. So to reduce early marriage practice, the government
and other agencies should make legal provisions and launch effective
programs to change the prevalence of cultural norms and traditional values
towards early marriage.
In this study, the number of contraceptive users were found to be low. This
may be due to lack of contraceptive knowledge, fear of side effects, not
easily available traditional values and other causes like husband's forces.
To manage this problem, a massive awareness program, information of
family planning and communication (IEC) and family planning service
should be expanded in order to increase the prevalence of contraceptive
users with easily available contraceptives to this community.
In this community, high infant mortality and child loss experience of
women are common. This may be due to non-hygienic behavior, lack of
health education. This is one of the strong causes of high fertility among
them because until and unless they cannot be sure that their children will
live longer for their help, they go on bearing more children. Therefore,
through health volunteers, MCHWS, health campaign and others
awareness programmers should be reached among the women.
In this community most of the women are unemployed and depend upon
agriculture. So employment opportunities in governmental and non-
governmental organizations should be made available and reserved for
women. To increase income level, vocational education should be
provided to such women so that they can improve their economic status.
Traditional norms and values which are prevalent in the society accounts
for early age marriage, polygamy marriage, higher preference to getting
son and woman discrimination as well which ultimately leads to high
fertility. So effective programs should be launched to change the
community.
In the study area, males are not found actively participating in using family
planning. Even they are found discouraging and forcing women not to use
them. Males should be aware and encouraged to use FP methods.
Free and mobile services should be launched to make awareness on
immunization from different kinds of diseases and to control infant and
child mortality in the ruler area especially for the Magar community.
5.4 Recommendation for Further Study
This study has attempted to find out the different socio-economic variables
of Magar community's women and their impact on fertility. However, this
study has not covered the entire portion related to women's fertility and
family planning. Therefore, a further study is needed to be carried out with
larger sample size.
This study is related to the Magar community on women's fertility and
family planning behavior, hence it cannot be generalized to all caste and
ethnic groups. Detailed study for several communities is essential to find
the fertility and family planning behavior.
Present study examined mean CEB only by socio-economic and
demographic variables. Other ecological, biological and physiological
variables can be taken into consideration for future research issues.
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Acharya, B.(2000). Fertility differentials in Nepal, An Analysis of some
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and development in Nepal vol 7, p-29.
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APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INTERVIEW
1. General Information
District:- ……………………………………… Date:-
……………………………
VDC:- ………………………………………….. Tole:-
…………………………….
Total Number of family:-
…………………………………………………………………….
Name of the household head:-
…………………………………………………………………….
Name of Respondent:-
………………………………………………………………………
Religion:- a. Hindu b. Buddhist c. Muslim d. Islam e. Christian
Occupation:- a. Agriculture b. Business c. Government Employ
d. Foreign Country e. Labors f. Others
Education:- Illiterate /Literate /Lower Secondary /Higher Secondary /
University
2. Family Information:
S. Name of Relation Se Age Education Marital Occupation

N. Family to x Status
Members household
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Occupation:- a. Agriculture, b. Business, c. Service, d. Labor force,
e. Trade, f. Army
Marital Status:- a. Married, b. Unmarried, c. Widow
3. Do you have your own house to live in?

a. Yes ◻ b. No ◻
4. If yes, what type of the house?
a. Pakki b. Semi Pakki c. Kachhi
5. Have you any land for agriculture?
a. Yes b. No
6. If yes, how much land?
a. No-land b. 1-5 ropani c. 5-10 ropani d. 10-20 e.
More than 20 Ropani
7. Are you cultivating the other’s land?
a. Yes c. No
8. If yes, for how long? Since ……………..
9. Are you giving your land to others for agriculture?
a. Yes b. No
10. Monthly income of your household or family?
a. Less than Rs. 10000.
b. Rs. 10000 - 20000
c. Rs. 20000 - 30000
d. More than Rs. 30000
11. What is the monthly expenditure of your family?
a. Less than Rs. 10000
b. Rs. 10000 - 20000
c. Rs. 20000 - 30000
d. More than Rs. 30000
12. What is the main source of your drinking water?
a. Water tap b. River c. Well
13. Do you have any of the following facilities in your house?
a. Electricity b. Radio c. Telephone
d. Gas e. TV f. Newspaper
14. What was your age at first marriage?
a. Below 15 years
b. 15-20 years
c. 21-25 years
d. 25 years and above
Questions for Demographic Information
(Questions only for married women aged 15-49)
1. What was your age at the time of first menstruation?
2. How old was your husband/wife at that time?
3. Which is the appropriate age for marriage in your opinion?
a. Below 15 years b. 15-18 years
c. 18-20 years d. Above 20 years
1. What was your age at the time of your first child?
1. What is the age of your first birth now?
1. How many children have you borned?
1. Please mention the number of your son and daughter.
a. Son b. Daughter
1. How many of them are living with you?
1. Is there any infant/child death in your life?
a. Yes b. No
1. If yes, how many died?
1. Do you want to give birth to another child?
a. Yes b. No
12. If yes, why?
a. Desire for son b. Desire for daughter
c. Husband force
Information on Family Planning Methods and Contraceptive
Devices
1. Have you heard about any family planning methods or not?
a. Yes b. No
1. Have you any idea of family planning?
b. Yes b. No
1. When did you know about family planning?
a. After marriage b. Before marriage
1. If yes, what are they?
a. Natural methods b. Condom
c. Pills d. Kamal chakki
1. From where did you know about them?
a. Radio b. TV c. Husband
d. Hospital e. Health post f. Friends
g. Others
1. Have you or your husband ever used any methods of family
planning?
a. Yes b. No
1. If yes, what did you use?
a. Natural Methods b. Condom c. Pills
d. Kamal Chakki e. Mini-lab f. Vasectomy
g. No use
1. If not, why?
1. Where did you give birth to your children?
a. House b. Hospital c. Health post d. Others
1. Did you go to any health worker during your time of pregnancy?
a. Yes b. No
1. If yes, where did you go?
1. Are you currently using any contraceptive?
a. Yes b. No
1. If yes, what is the effect?
a. Irregular menses b. Irregular flow of blood
c. Headache and Vomiting d. Effect on weight of body
e. Others
1. Which contraceptive device do you use the most?
a. Condom b. Depo-Provera c. Pills d. Others
1. Did you feel any side effects by using contraceptive devices?
a. Yes b. No
1. Did you have to treat the side effects of family planning?
a. Yes b. No
1. Who preferred to prescribe this family planning to you?
a. Doctor b. Nurse c. HA d. Others
1. Do you give advice on using these contraceptive devices to others?
a. Yes b. No
1. Have you had sexual experience before marriage?
a. Yes b. No

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Fertility Behaviiour

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FERTILITY BEHAVIOUR OF MAGAR COMMUNITY

( A case study of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja district)

A Thesis Submitted to Office of Dean

For the partial fulfillment of the Requirement of Master's Degree in

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.5 Significance of the Study

Literature is a piece of writing or printed information on a particular

2.1 Theoretical Literature

2.2.1 Education and Fertility

2.2.2 Occupation, Income and Fertility

2.2.3 Age at Marriage and Fertility

2.3 Conceptual Framework

Methodology is the main organ of the study. Proper research methodology

4.2 Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents.

4.2.3 Economic Status

Table 5: Distribution of respondents by type of houses.

Fig 2: Land holding status

4.2.9. Household Facilities

Source : field survey 2021

4.2.13 Education Status

Source : field survey 2021

Source : field survey 2021

Fig. 6: Age Group of the Respondents

Source : field survey 2021

Table 17: Percentage distribution of the respondents by age at first

Table 18: Percentage distribution of respondents by age at marriage.

4.3.7 Knowledge of Family Planning Methods

4.3.8 Heard of Methods

Table 32: Age at first marriage and CEB.

S. Name of Relation Se Age Education Marital Occupation

3. Do you have your own house to live in?

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