Research Review NS 19.1 (2003) 91

BOOK REVIEW

SAMUEL AGYEIMENSAH and JOHN B. CASTERLINE, Editors, Reproduction
and Social Context  in Sub Saharan  Africa: a Collection of Micro-demographic
Studies. Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies No. 206. Westport,
Connecticut and London: Greenwood Press (2003). Pp. 206,  ISBN 0-313-31908-1

This  volume  contains  eight  chapters  of 
localized  contextual  studies which use  both
qualitative and  quantitative  methods  and investigate a  number  of  topics in  more  depth
than  is  possible  with standard  demographic  survey approaches. They aim to  demonstrate
how  such  a  micro-in  depth  approach  can  deepen  our  knowledge  of  reproductive
behaviour and  reproductive change in Sub Saharan Africa.

Seven  countries  are  included 
in  the  various  studies,  which  cover  topics  ranging  from
social  identity and  minority  group  influences to adolescent  fertility, reproductive depision
making and the  impact  of development  programs, social  organization and  birth  timing on
fertility  change. The authors of the chapters come from  all over Africa  and elsewhere. They
include several disciplinary approaches -  anthropology, demography, economics, geography,
sociology and public health.

The  editors  drew  the collection  together with  the  express  purpose  of  trying  to  rectify
imbalances  and  omissions  of  previous  survey work. In particular,  they wanted to  bring
together a  collection  of  localized studies that would  complement  national surveys. They
eschewed  a  purely  ethnographic  or anthropological  approach  and  tried  to  show  the
diversity  of  the  region by  including  studies  from  different  sub regions.  They also  tried
to  represent  different 
the
to  be  comprehensive  or
collection 
representative.

is  admittedly  eclectic  and  does  not  purport 

stages  of  Africa's 

fertility  transition.  At  the  same 

time, 

All the essays  are original  contributions. The  volume  is  introduced  by the  editors  and
concluded  by Jack and Pat Caldwell, who attempt  to situate  the  reproductive  stability and
change  in  the  region during the  past  two decades  within the context  of  an  overview  of
the  global fertility  transition. As they  emphasize,  the studies  in this  collection are  of  great
value as  they put  flesh  on  the  DHS's statistical  proof that fertility  decline  is  underway,
and  show  how and why the  mechanisms operate  to  postpone or  forego  births. Moreover,'
they  show  at  the  individual and state  level "the  reactions  to  new  circumstances.

This  is  valuable  collection  of  essays which  needs  to be  made  readily  available  to
students  of  population  studies  in the  region, and  the authors are  to be commended  for
their  effort  in producing such a  useful  text.

Christine Oppong

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