Fertility Indicators with Hill-Valley Variations in Manipur

Abstract

Since seventy years of Indian independence, the northeast states are nowhere near a satisfactory solution in terms of socio-demographic development. It is more prevalent in Manipur, the easternmost state internationally bordering with Myanmar (Burma). With a unique feature that “a maximum number of dialect with least number of population”, the tribal people here are having more serious demographic imbalances than other tribes in the country. Under research question – ‘what are the levels of fertility indices of women residing in valley and hill areas?’ it is to investigate the regional variations in the fertility indicators between hill and valley populations in Manipur. An empirical study was conducted under cross sectional survey design during the eight months period from May, 2015 to December, 2015 taking 1335 eligible women having at least one live birth under cluster sampling scheme in two districts of Manipur in such one in valley – Thoubal, and other in hill – Chandel. In addition to classical statistical tests, regression models are utilized to identify the causal factors of the differentials in the fertility indices. Statistically significant variations have been reported in age at marriage, desire of son, post partum amenorrhoea, contraceptive uses etc. each at P<0.001 and also in age at menarche, infant and child mortality, still birth, age at menopause etc. each at P<0.01. The processing of these significant indicators at a level consistent with the national target of stable population in India is highly needed to have a linkage with social development.