A note on a demographic sample survey for the study of factors affecting fertility in Ghana

Decreases in the birth-rate can occur in three ways: 1. by the development of new patterns of exposure to intercourse; 2. by increase in the proportion of couples practising contraception effectively; 3. by an increment in the levels of foetal mortality. It is impossible to measure the significance of each factor and thus it is necessary to chart the complete process of family formation. A study of this sort is important not only for the interpretation of the fertility data now being collected in censuses and other surveys but also provides information required for the introduction of programmes of family limitation. A survey was planned and initiated in Ghana During July 1965 – March 1966 in all over 5000 women and 290 men were interviewed in three random samples. This paper deals with two aspects of the survey: the subjects covered in the questionnaire and the characteristics of the samples in terms of tribe and residence. Notes; tables; French summary.