ANALYSIS OF THE POPULATION SIZE, AGE/SEX DISTRIBUTION

and African agencies of experience gained from the Danfa Comprehensive Rural Health and Family Planning Project, a project designed to demonstrate and test new low-cost health delivery systems in Ghana. As part of the project"s research component, this paper analyzes population size and the age/sex distribution of the project"s four study areas. In addition to these areas, information was sought on ethnic composition, religion, occupation, literacy, and level of education. The methods used to measure these variables, as well as the difficulties involved in this use, are discussed in each section of the report. The population was enumerated in three ways: de jure (permanent residents, whether present or away), de facto (those actually present), and comprehensive (the combination of the two). Depending on the method of enumeration, the total population of all four areas ranges from 47,655 to 50,127. In individual enumerations, the de jure enumerated population was always less than the de facto enumerated population. The geographic distribution of the population, as well as the distribution by residential status, indicates that population differences result from the estimated number of visitors and absent residents. The age of those under 15 computed by de jure enumeration ranged from 46.2% to 48.3%, while the proportion of the total population aged 65 and above ranged from 4.2% to 6.0%. The percentages under 15 and over 65 are similar by both de facto and comprehensive enumeration. Age/sex pyramids indicate a population with a low median age of 17, a very small proportion of elderly persons, and a combination of high birth and death rates. The median age for females is consistently higher than that of males. Child/woman ratios give evidence of high fertility in some areas, but fertility may be falling in others. As many of those interviewed were illiterate, the accuracy of age reporting and the Myer"s procedure used to correct possible distortions are discussed. Tables illustrating these data are provided throughout the report. Four entries (1972-74) are cited for further reference.