Socio-economic and demographic differentials between Gauteng and North West province (South Africa) with reference to women in the childbearing ages

Abstract

A quantitative study was undertaken on the sample of 747 Gauteng and 1212 women of the North West Province of childbearing age. The main aim was to examine whether or not there exists any variations in factors of childbearing between these women as Gauteng is presumed to be more urbanised than the North West Province which is predominantly rural. The hypotheses of the study were as follows: women residing in either Gauteng or North West show a positive relationship between the province of usual residence and the social and economic factors such as (i) educational attainment(ii)knowledge of traditional and modern contraceptive methods(iii)ever use of traditional and modern methods of contraceptives. Data were sourced from the South African Demographic and Health Survey of 2003.Descriptive, Chi-square test and Logistic Regression were used to determine variations of childbearing that may exist between these women. The results indicated that there is a statistical significant relationship between the province of usual residence and ever-use of methods of contraceptives and educational attainment.