Challenging fertility transition in rural africa : contributions of a longitudinal and institutional approach

Amid the peanut basin, the Niakhar study zone is representative of the high fertility level of Sahelian rural areas. Long-termtrends of fertility levels measured by a demographic surveillance system from IRD show still high completed fertility levels (almost 8 children per women). Results reveal an increase in premarital pregnancies and births. In order to understand mechanisms of fertility patterns in this region, we propose to investigate the relevance of institutional approaches as described by Mc Nicoll (1982), Gregory et Piche (1985), Piche et Poirier (1995), or also Lesthaeghe (1989). Thus, the drawing of a parallel between changes in agricultural production system, and the environmental and social organization, enables us to highlight how these rural populations perceive demographic beha viors, and in particular reproductive behaviors.