Official: Alcoholism not to blame for few births in Central region

Nyeri, Kenya: A demographer has attributed low population growth rate in Central region to high use of contraceptives and not alcohol abuse.

Central Region Coordinator for National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) Fidelis Ndung'u said research has shown that the number of women using modern birth control methods are higher in the region than anywhere else in the country.

Speaking during the regional World Population Day celebration for Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga counties held in Othaya at the weekend, Ndung'u said the region's high contraception use can be attributed to equally high literacy levels, at 88 per cent and is second only to Nairobi.

"Although alcohol indirectly contributes to declining population growth, it is not the main factor. People must always bear in mind that alcohol abuse is not a family planning method," she said.

The demographer's sentiments debunk a popular myth among politicians that alcohol abuse is wreaking havoc on population expansion in the region.

Ndung'u said the only role alcohol abuse has been found to play in reduced population rate is that it is robbing many youths an opportunity to marry and procreate.

ALCOHOL ABUSE

"Women will not marry men who are abusing alcohol because they lack personal grooming, a strong financial base and bright future," she said.

Ndung'u said Kiambu is the region's leading county in annual population expansion at 2.8 per cent followed by Nyandarua at 2.3 per cent, Kirinyaga at 1.3 per cent, Murang'a at 0.6 per cent and Nyeri at 0.5 per cent.

The national fertility rate is 4.6 children per woman while population growth rate stands at 2.8 per cent compared to Central region's 3.4 children per woman and 1.6 per cent annual population growth.

"Despite previous fears, we find that the regional population expansion and number of children per woman meets the national aspiration of 2.1 children per woman by 2050," she said.