bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of contraceptive methods: a multidimensional scaling analysis
Authors: Callan Victor J. , Gallois Cynthia
Published: July 2008

This study employed similarity judgments to determine the dimensions used in distinguishing between methods of contraception, and to investigate individual differences in the use of these dimensions. Three groups of subjects rated the similarity of seventeen methods of contraception, and also rated each method on a number of adjective scales. Multidimensional scaling of the similarity judgments revealed two dimensions: one related to effectiveness, expense, and safety, and the other differentiating between standard and non-standard methods of contraception (or natural and non-natural ones). In addition, methods of contraception were arrayed in the space mainly on the basis of physical similarity. Analyses of the rating scales indicated that subjects perceived methods accurately in terms of effectiveness, but were inaccurate in their ratings of safety to the user. Finally, analysis of individual differences indicated that the second dimension was more salient to younger than to older subjects, but did not reveal differences related to religion or contraceptive use.
Sterilization in Canberra
Authors: Lucas David
Published: July 2008

In contrast to the USA and the UK, vasectomy is less popular than tubal ligation in Australia, and this may reflect differences in husband-wife communication. Using data from the 1979 Canberra Population Survey, it seemed that although a majority of respondents would use sterilization, female sterilization would be preferred, largely because males were more resistant to the idea than females. Respondents born outside Australia, the UK, and Eire were more resistant to the idea of sterilization, but reported higher use of tubal ligation.
Cousin marriages in Beirut, Lebanon: is the Pattern Changing?
Authors: Klat Myriam , Khudr Adèle
Published: July 2008

The prevalence of preferential patrilateral parallel cousin marriage is recognized as a specific trait of the Arabs and their immediate Muslim neighbours. Most earlier studies have been of localized groups, villages or nomadic camps and, despite the urbanization and industrialization occurring in the Middle East, no recent data from urban contexts have been examined. In this paper the genealogical ties between spouses are analysed in a sample of 750 recently married couples from the city of Beirut. Consanguineous marriages are frequent, mainly first-cousin marriages. However, the classical predominance of patrilateral parallel cousin marriage is no longer evident in the most recent generation, which displays an equal preference for all types of cousin marriage. Hence, whereas endogamy persists in this town, its manifestation may well be changing.
Sex differentials in mortality in Sri Lanka: changes since the 1920s
Authors: Langford C. M.
Published: July 2008

In Sri Lanka in the 1920s female mortality exceeded male mortality in almost all age groups: only in infancy and late middle age did male mortality exceed female mortality. Proportionately the greatest female excess was in the childbearing ages. Mortality fell very substantially between 1921 and 1971. However, throughout most of this period the same basic pattern of sex differentials persisted; indeed, between 1921 and 1953 the relative position of women worsened in a number of age groups. Although the original pattern still showed clearly in 1963, by 1971 male mortality exceeded female mortality in almost all age groups: excess female mortality was only found among children. It is possible that discriminatory behaviour played an important part in excess female mortality in Sri Lanka in the past.
Male attitudes towards family planning in Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: Mustafa Mutasim Abu Bakr , Mumford Stephen D.
Published: July 2008

In a 1982 survey of 250 men living in Khartoum, knowledge of, attitudes towards and use of contraception among Sudanese men were explored. Particular attention was given to attitudes towards male and female sterilization. Although most of the men expressed a desire to have large families, several findings suggest that they felt that they may have to be satisfied with a lower number for economic reasons. Three-fifths of the men with wives of reproductive age wished to use family planning services now but only about one-fifth were currently using an effective method. Almost 60% of the men were interested in learning more about female sterilization and about 50%, more about male sterilization. In general, attitudes towards family planning were more favourable than previously believed by providers of these services. Only 2·8% of these men had obtained services from a family planning clinic, suggesting that the demand currently exceeds the supply.
Analysis of demographic data collected in a rural area of Kenya
Authors: Van Vianen H. A. W. , Ginneken J. K. Van
Published: July 2008

In the area studied in the Machakos Project the total fertility estimate amounts to 7·46, which is somewhat lower than reported in the preceding article (van Ginneken et al., 1984). Evidence is provided that the low observed infant mortality rate of 49 per 1000 live births is plausible; this rate is in accordance with the relatively low and rapidly declining infant mortality rates found in Kenya. No accurate estimate on adult mortality could be obtained, probably due to serious overstatement of ages in the older age groups.
Birth interval, mortality and growth of children in a rural area in Kenya
Authors: Boerma J. T. , Van Vianen H. A. W.
Published: July 2008

This paper analyses the impact of the length of birth intervals on mortality and growth of young children. An attempt has been made to improve the methodology of birth interval studies and the results of an analysis of longitudinal data from a rural area in Kenya with a relatively favourable level of health are presented. It is shown that children with short retrospective or short prospective birth intervals do not run a higher risk of mortality or growth retardation than children with longer intervals, neither during the perinatal period nor during the first 2 years of life. This suggests that the socioeconomic setting, in which a birth interval study is carried out, is of ultimate importance.
Housing quality and child mortality in the rural philippines
Authors: Johnson Nan E. , Nelson Merwyn R.
Published: July 2008

This study investigated factors influencing child survival to age 5 years for a rural farm sample in Iloilo Province, Philippines. Children from better quality housing were more likely to live to age 5 than were children from worse quality housing. The life expectancy at birth, indirectly estimated by the Brass method, was 63·4 years for children from worse quality housing and 69·9 years for children from better quality housing. The implications are explored.
Birth intervals and women's economic activity
Authors: Bhrolcháin Máire Ní
Published: July 2008

Some hypotheses regarding birth spacing and women's work are outlined. Using British census and survey data it is shown that average second and third birth intervals were shorter in marriages taking place in the 10 years following the Second World War as compared with marriages in the period 1900–29; the intervals increased again, measured on a period basis, in the 1970s. Birth intervals for women married during the 10 years after the war were shorter among those economically active at the 1971 census than among the inactive. Some problems of method are discussed.
Examination of the relationship between inbreeding and population size
Authors: Relethford John H.
Published: July 2008

A method is presented for examining the relationship between effective population size and accumulated random inbreeding in human populations. For a set of populations, the inverse of inbreeding is regressed on effective population size using a linear regression model. This procedure allows testing of several hypotheses regarding the common and unique influences on population structure. Deviations from the expected curve suggest demographic or historical change. This method is applied to surname data from nine Irish isolates. The results show that the method is very useful in assessing differential influences on population structure.
A survey of a Cambridge suburb: familial resemblances and IQ components
Authors: Mascie-Taylor C. G. N.
Published: July 2008

This study presents parent–offspring and sibling resemblances for verbal and visuospatial IQ components and total IQ scores in both non-manual and manual social groups. Offspring on mid parent regression coefficients provided upper limits to phenotypic IQ similarity. There were no significant differences in regressions between social groups.

The sex linked hypothesis for spatial ability was examined but neither parent–offspring nor sibling correlations were in the order predicted by the hypothesis.
Comparison of ante-natal hospital records with retrospective interviewing
Authors: Joffe Michael , Grisso Jeane Ann
Published: July 2008

In a case-control study of low birthweight deliveries, comparison of hospital records with interviews conducted soon after delivery fails to confirm the widely-held view that concurrently recorded medical notes are superior to retrospective interviewing. The overall agreement was very good, with slight under-reporting of past abortions by mothers, and marked relative under-recording in the hospital records of vaginal bleeding and especially vaginal discharge. Generally, the rates of disagreement between interviews and hospital notes were similar for those women who had low birthweight babies and those who had normal birthweight babies, except for one single item. Uncertainty or lack of information occurred in the hospital notes as often as in the interviews.

When different accounts of labour were present within a single set of medical records, the level of internal consistency was examined. There were more definite contradictions within the hospital notes than had been observed between the notes and the interviews. Moreover, a very marked association of within-hospital contradiction with birthweight was found, suggesting a possibility of bias when hospital records are used for the investigation of conditions associated with low birthweight. One should not, however, conclude that hospital notes are necessarily more error-prone than interviews, as many of the within-hospital contradictions reflected diagnostic uncertainty in complicated cases.
Quality of life, intellectual development and behavioural characteristics of single children in China: evidence from a 1980 survey in Changsha, Hunan Province
Authors: Poston Dudley L. , Yu Mei-Yu
Published: July 2008

This paper reports the results of a June 1980 survey of 1069 children in Changsha, Hunan Province. The data have been unavailable previously either in Chinese or in English. In general, they suggest that comparisons of single children with children from multiple-child families in China regarding quality of life, intellectual development, and behavioural traits are similar to comparisons conducted in the United States and other western countries. As in many western studies, single children in China appear to have a better quality of life than children with siblings. Regarding intellectual development, single children in China perform better than those with siblings, a finding which is consonant with the family intactness model of Falbo. Single children in Changsha are little different from ones from multiple-child families on various aspects of behaviour, and are more co-operative and less hostile. These findings are the opposite of those of the Shanghai study, the other major analysis of single children in China; the Shanghai survey indicated that single children were not as well-behaved as those with siblings, a finding that caused some concern among Chinese social scientists. To the extent that the findings of the Changsha study, and not those of the Shanghai study, reflect the situation of single children in China, this could mean that the one-child family planning campaign may not be having a negative impact on children's behaviour.
Rural–urban differentials in marital fertility in four Muslim populations
Authors: Ahmad S.
Published: July 2008

The analysis based on data collected as a part of the World Fertility Survey programme in four Muslim populations—Bangladesh, Java, Jordan and Pakistan—did not show a consistent pattern in rural–urban differentials in marital fertility. While no significant differential in current fertility by place of current residence is noticeable in Bangladesh and Pakistan, urban women in Jordan showed lower fertility than their rural counterparts. Cumulative fertility, when controlled for duration of marriage, was found to be higher in urban than in rural areas of Bangladesh and Pakistan, but no clear pattern emerged in Jordan. In Java, both current and cumulative fertility were higher in urban than in rural areas; urban women who had spent their childhood and were brought up in the urban environment showed, in most instances, higher fertility than the other residence groups.
Determinants of contraceptive use in Nepal
Authors: Tuladhar J. M.
Published: July 2008

This study, based on the Nepal Contraceptive Prevalence Survey carried out in 1981, is the first of its kind. Analysis using a logit-linear model showed that the prevalence of current contraception was directly related to number and sex of living children, and the age of the woman. The prevalence rates are higher among women who did not want more children and women who had discussed family size with their husbands. The prevalence varies according to women's education and work-status. Urban women have a higher prevalence than rural women. Women who have access to the family planning service within a short distance have higher prevalence than those who do not.
Assortative mating for colour in Indian populations
Authors: Banerjee Sarla
Published: July 2008

Skin colour is measured at the inner upper arm and forehead by reflectance spectrophotometry in 310 Punjabi Hindu spouse pairs. It suggests genetic similarity of the two subcastes Khatri and Arora, of Punjabi Hindus, and that caste formation is essentially a social phenomenon. There is evidence of positive assortative mating with respect to skin colour.
Assortative mating for height in Pakistani arranged marriages
Authors: Ahmad Mahmud , Gilbert R. I. , Naqui Asif-Un-Nisa
Published: July 2008

Heights of couples of arranged marriages in Islamabad, Pakistan, were measured. There is an overall significant correlation, and this correlation is maintained when the data are subdivided according to various classifications, e.g. social class. Some hypotheses are put forward to explain the correlations.
Trends in legalized abortion in South Australia: 1970–81
Authors: Yusuf Farhat , Briggs Dora
Published: July 2008

Official abortion statistics for South Australia for the years 1977–81 were examined and compared with those for 1970–76 reported earlier. The period 1970–81 represents the first 12 years' experience of legalized abortion in South Australia. A consistent increase in the incidence of abortion was noted, both in absolute numbers and in proportion to the number of live births. South Australia continued to experience lower fertility than other Australian states, although this would have been higher than in other states had it not been for the legalization of abortion. More of the younger and the unmarried women were obtaining abortions, indicating that they were increasingly using abortion as a form of birth control.
Changes in the timing of births in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Khoo Siew-Ean , Krishnamoorthy S.
Published: July 2008

Two 10-year marriage cohorts from two surveys of married women in Melbourne were compared on their timing of the first and second births. The results showed that women who were married in the early 1970s were much more likely to delay their first birth until about the third or fourth year of marriage compared with women who married in the 1960s. However, there was no difference in the timing of their second birth in relation to the first birth between the two marriage cohorts. Women who delayed childbearing also preferred smaller families. Economic reasons were most frequently mentioned for delaying childbearing.
Fertility and social class in a French village, 1901–75
Authors: White Paul E.
Published: July 2008

The extent to which it is possible to recognize distinctive patterns of marriage and fertility within sub-groups of the rural population is examined by an analysis of the fertility experience of 294 females who lived in a single village in southern Normandy at some period between 1901 and 1975. Aggregate analysis demonstrates the existence of differential fertility between classes. Examination of circumstantial evidence for individual sub-groups suggests that attitudes towards capital accumulation and inheritance are the major explanatory factors for these differentials.
Fertility of couples following cessation of contraception
Authors: Spira Nadine , Spira Alfred , Schwartz Daniel
Published: July 2008

A retrospective study has been undertaken among 5108 women of the delay in conception after stopping different methods of contraception. Particular attention was paid to the delay that sometimes separates the cessation of contraception and the beginning of intercourse without precautions and to the effect of possible confounding factors.

It was possible to demonstrate a decreased fertility for couples after the pill and, to a lesser degree, after IUD use, but only among those who did not take other precautions (waiting period). For couples observing a waiting period, there is no decrease of fertility following the initial exposure to the risk of conception.

The different prevalence of these confounding factors from one population to another can explain the various results reported of other studies.
Effect of oral contraceptives and some psychological factors on the menstrual experience
Authors: Harding Christina M. , Vail Carey , Brown Robert
Published: July 2008

Fifty-seven women (mean age = 23·5 years), half of whom used an oral contraceptive, completed Moos' menstrual distress questionnaire at each of the three menstrual phases. In addition they kept menstrual diary cards for 50 days, recording days on which menstrual blood loss occurred. During an intermenstrual phase, they completed: a general information questionnaire with questions on menstrual, socialization and demographic variables; Eysenck's personality inventory; the multidimensional health locus of control scale; the Bern sex role inventory; and a measure of preventive health behaviour. Analyses investigating the effects of pill use and psychological factors on the incidence and intensity of menstrual distress found few significant associations between these measures, especially when symptom changes over the menstrual cycle were the dependent variables. The implications of these results for the aetiology of menstrual distress are discussed.
Infant and child mortality in Pakistan—some trends and differentials
Authors: Sathar Zeba A.
Published: July 2008

Data from reproductive histories collected in the Population, Labour Force and Migration Survey of 1979 are used to analyse trends and differentials in infant and child mortality in Pakistan. Comparisons with the Pakistan Fertility Survey findings are also presented. Whereas levels differ substantially across the two surveys, trends and differentials are generally similar. Infant–child mortality seems to have declined until the mid-1960s, stabilized for some years and even risen slightly in the latest period of the two surveys.

Neonatal mortality is responsible for a high proportion of deaths under age 1 and is particularly high for first order births and children born to very young or very old mothers. Higher infant and childhood mortality are also related to these factors and also to a shorter preceding birth interval, the early death of the preceding child and sex of the child. Education of mother and residence were also found to be critical determinants of infant and child mortality.
Visual acuity of the Gidra in lowland Papua New Guinea
Authors: Kawabe T. , Ohtsuka R. , Inaoka T. , Akimichi T. , Suzuki T.
Published: July 2008

Visual acuity was tested and the anterior portion of the eye inspected among the Gidra in Lowland Papua New Guinea, who depend on hunting for their animal food. The visual acuity of the youths and adults was as high as that of hunters and gatherers; 88% of the males and 81% of the females had an acuity of 1·2 or better. The elders had far lower acuity, correlated with the advance of cataract (or corneal opacity). The senescent visual acuity is discussed in relation to little practice and low productivity of the elders' hunting, and to the Gidra traditional age-grade system.
Intelligence test performance in obesity in relation to educational attainment and parental Social Class
Authors: Sørensen T. I. A. , Sonne-Holm S.
Published: July 2008

In the population of 242,633 draftees examined in the Copenhagen area for the period 1956–77, 1143 were extremely overweight. Compared to 2123 controls, selected at random from the remaining draftee population, the obese had a lower educational attainment, even at each level of intelligence test score. Conversely, at each educational level, the obese did not differ from the controls in intelligence test score. When taking into account, by regression analysis, both intelligence test score and parental social class, the chance for the obese of exceeding the educational level of minimum years of schooling followed by elementary trade training increased from 37% to only 52% of that for the controls. The results suggest that obesity, irrespective of social origin, is associated with poor educational attainment which may be responsible for the cognitive deficiency manifested in lower intelligence test scores.
A genetic isolate in the French Pyrenees: probabilities of origin of genes and inbreeding
Authors: Serre Jean Louis , Jakobi Lucienne , Babron Marie-claude
Published: July 2008

The genetic structure and its recent evolution in a small isolated village in the French Pyrenees, Arthez-d'Asson, have been characterized by calculating the probabilities of origin of genes and inbreeding values at every generation since the 17th century.

Arthez-d'Asson appears to be one of the most inbred populations in France, with an inbreeding coefficient of approximately 0·5%. This is due first to genetical and cultural isolation, and secondly to migration out of the village towards towns at the turn of the century. The valley of Ouzom, in which Arthez-d'Asson lies, constitutes a hierarchical population and some cultural and genetical turnover is drawing back to the valley genes which have been absent for some generations.
Son preference and its effects on Korean lactation practices
Authors: Nemeth Roger J. , Bowling J. Michael
Published: July 2008

Using retrospective data from Korea, multi-variate log-linear analyses indicate that the sex of a child influences the probability of it being breast-fed. Even for women with a living son, there are greater than average odds that they will not breast-feed an infant girl. The sex of the child did not, however, influence the number of months he/she was breast-fed.
Nutritional status and age at secondary sterility in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Abdul , Chowdhury A. K. M. Alauddin , Kabir M.
Published: July 2008

In a prospective study of 2324 women in Matlab, Bangladesh, the occurrence of primary and secondary sterility by age groups was examined. The results were related to the nutritional status of the women, as assessed by measurements of height, weight, arm circumference and ponderal index. There is evidence that nutritional status is an important factor in estimated age at sterility, with thinner women experiencing a slightly earlier menopause.
Attitudes of women of reproductive age to in vitro fertilization and embryo research
Authors: Alder Elizabeth M. , Baird David T. , Lees Martin M. , Lincoln Dennis W. , Loudon Nancy B. , Templeton Allan A.
Published: July 2008

The attitudes of women of reproductive age to IVF therapy and human embryo research were investigated. A questionnaire was given to 1920 consecutive women attending clinics for family planning (1050), ante-natal care (705) and infertility (165). This paper reports the analysis of 1701 returned questionnaires, all from women of reproductive age. The great majority (94%) were in favour of IVF treatment. Sixty-seven percent approved of research on human embryos up to 14 days to improve IVF treatment, and a further 10% supported research on embryos designed to avoid birth defects. The majority (79%) thought women should be allowed to donate ova for research. The social characteristics of the infertility group were similar to those of the ante-natal group except for lower parity. In the family planning and ante-natal groups attitudes were not related to age, social class or parity, but were influenced by religious beliefs.
Assortative mating for height in Pakistani arranged marriages—
Authors: James W. H.
Published: July 2008

Ahmad, Gilbert & Naqui (1985) note that there is a substantial and significant positive correlation between the heights of spouses in Pakistani arranged marriages. This was so even in those cases where the spouses had not seen one another before the ceremony. They offer three possible explanations. I should like to suggest another.
Who has a vasectomy reversal?
Authors: Clarke Lynda , Gregson Sue
Published: July 2008

The characteristics of the first 200 cases of vasectomy reversal have been analysed. The mean time from vasectomy to reversal was 4.8 years. It varied according to the reason for requesting reversal, and was particularly short when the operation had been performed at the time of the partner's pregnancy. Thirty percent of the men were with the same partner and 70% a new partner. Vasectomy reversal cases tended to be younger than vasectomy patients as a whole but did not differ significantly in social class. In this series of reversals, spermatozoa were present in the ejaculate throughout the 20-week follow-up time in 80% of the men; the pregnancy rate was 44%.
Side effects and discontinuation of oral contraceptive use in southern Brazil
Authors: Janowitz Barbara , Kane Thomas T. , Arruda Jose Maria , Covington Deborah L. , Morris Leo
Published: July 2008

The subsequent contraceptive behaviour following reported side effects in users of oral contraceptives in the southern region of Brazil is examined in relation to discontinuation of pill use, changing to other methods, termination of contraceptive use, the role of the physician in influencing a woman's decision to discontinue pill use, and discontinuation according to the type of problem experienced.

In 2904 currently married women, aged 15–44, almost 75% reported that they had used the pill at some time, and of these 45.6% were still doing so. Women who reported problems with the pill were less likely to be current users (25%) than the women who did not (65%). However, overall contraceptive prevalence was about the same in both groups. Women who stop using oral contraceptives are more likely to be using traditional methods than women in the general population, especially if they want more children. Termination of pill use varies little according to the type of problem reported. Women with problems who sought medical attention were more likely to stop using the pill and so were women advised to stop by their physician, but the major factor affecting discontinuation was the reported experience of a problem.
Seasonality of conception in hutterite colonies of Europe (1758–1881) and North America (1858–1964)
Authors: Surbey Michele K. , Catanzaro Denys De , Smith Martin S.
Published: July 2008

Birth records of Hutterite colonies were examined for the presence of seasonal variation in conception rate. Month of conception was inferred by counting back 9 months from date of birth. Over 4300 births, occurring between 1758 and 1964 and spanning the years that the colonies inhabited the Ukraine and then migrated to the United States and Canada, were included in the analysis. When combined, the European and North American births showed a seasonal pattern with a general rise in conceptions from December to June followed by a decline in conceptions from July to November. The major peaks in conceptions were in April and June, with a minor peak in December. Separate examination of the European and American records revealed a secular change. The seasonality of North American conceptions was dramatically reduced when compared to the very distinct European seasonal pattern. It is assumed that both biological and cultural factors are responsible for the seasonal variation observed. The influences of light cycle, date of marriage, and work and holiday schedules on conception rates are discussed.
Estimation of adult mortality in Korea: levels, trends, and socioeconomic differentials
Authors: Kim Ock-Kyung
Published: July 2008

Data from the 1974 Korean National Fertility Survey indicate levels, trends, and socioeconomic differentials in adult mortality in the Republic of Korea. The indirect techniques of parental survival and the time location of mortality are used to estimate mortality levels and to discern time trends in adult mortality. Socioeconomic variables are considered for their relationship with levels of adult mortality. The index of household wealth (based on the ownership of modern goods, size and space of household) and education stand out as the most important differentials in adult mortality. The trend in mortality decline is most pronounced for the subgroups representing higher levels of educational attainment and greater ownership of modern goods even after adjusting for the interrelationship between these two variables.
Measures of family size preferences
Authors: Barrett J. C.
Published: July 2008

Estimates of preferred family sizes are derived from those achieved at various durations of marriage, using a Monte Carlo simulation model of reproductive histories, slightly modified in its representation of breast-feeding. The method of estimation consists in inverting the relationship between these two distributions (wanted and achieved births) which form respectively an input to and an output of the model. The increasing preference for families of two children is shown in cohorts married in England and Wales in 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966 and 1971 for women's ages at marriage 20–24 and 25–29. Sensitivity to assumptions regarding contraceptive effectiveness is tested, and ranges established for estimates. The evolution and stability of family size preferences are discussed.
Patterns of Depo-Provera use in a large family planning clinic in the United States
Authors: Higgins James E. , Chi I-Cheng , Wilkens Lynne R. , Hatcher Robert A.
Published: July 2008

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was approved as an investigational new drug for contraceptive use in the United States between 1967 and 1978. Patterns of contraceptive choice and changing methods were determined among 36,298 women attending a family planning clinic between 1967 and 1976. This population was the largest concentration of US women who had DMPA available as a contraceptive option. By 1974, women in the age group 35–49 were as likely to choose DMPA as either oral contraception or an intrauterine device. Coincidentally, use of the most popular choice, oral contraception, declined in older women and IUD use dropped sharply in all age groups. On average, users of DMPA were more likely to continue their method than were users of IUDs or barrier methods. Among women in the 35–49 age group, DMPA users were the group least likely to change methods.
A decade of fertility below replacement level in Singapore
Authors: Saw Swee-Hock
Published: July 2008

This paper discusses fertility trends in Singapore during the decade 1975–84. Fertility first dropped below the replacement level in 1975 when the gross reproduction rate reached 1·006, and fell further to the low of 0·772 in 1984. During the same period all of the three main races, Chinese, Malays and Indians, experienced fertility below replacement level. The shortfall in the number of births required to ensure replacement fertility increased during the decade until it approached one-quarter in 1984.
Effect of birth spacing on infant and child mortality in rural Nepal
Authors: Gubhaju Bhakta B.
Published: July 2008

This examination of the effect of birth spacing on infant and child mortality in rural Nepal is based on data from the Nepal Fertility Survey 1976 carried out by the Nepal Family Planning and Maternal Child Health Project in collaboration with the World Fertility Survey. The study confirms that the higher risk of infant death to first-born children is mainly due to the higher proportions of younger women having first births, rather than due to their being first order births per se. The effect of maternal age on infant and child mortality is largely associated with birth interval. Previous birth interval, therefore, stands out as the most important factor affecting infant mortality; the next most important factor is the survival of the preceding child.
Seasonal variation in suicide rates by cause and sex
Authors: Araki S. , Aono H. , Murata K. , Shikata I. , Mitsukuni Y.
Published: July 2008

Seasonal variations in cause- and age-specific suicide rates in males and females were analysed in Osaka, Japan, for the years 1974–83, using profile analysis. Significant cause differences were found in males: (1) the rate for poisoning by domestic, car-exhaust or other gases was high in winter and spring and low in summer and autumn; (2) the rate for hanging, strangulation and suffocation was low in winter; (3) the rate for a variety of violent methods (chemicals, firearms, drowning, etc.) was high in summer. Similarly, there were sex differences in the variation for causes (2) and (3) and for ages 40–54. No significant age difference was found in either sex. Seasonal differences in the ease of suicidal methods and sex- and season-specific psychosocial factors were thought to be the major determinant of the seasonal variation.
Single women, voluntary childlessness and perceptions about life and marriage
Authors: Callan Victor J.
Published: July 2008

Forty-two single women who want to be childless, eighteen who desire a one child family, and 42 who want two children responded to questions about the quality of their present lives, and nature of future marriages. The groups of women were closely matched for age and education, and on current quality of life there were few differences. They had similar levels of positive and negative affect, and described life as enjoyable, interesting and contented. Those wanting to be childless, however, rated life as less optimistic and less loving, and also as currently somewhat less satisfying, but life satisfaction was still quite high. These early deciders of childlessness, and those wanting only one child, wanted to be financially and socially more independent in future marriage-type relationships than women wanting at least two children. They also expected to follow interests and careers to their fullest, wanted more role innovative partners, and were somewhat less concerned about home ownership, living to a budget, and keeping contact with family and friends. All women placed considerable importance on the need for trust, self-disclosure and open communication in a relationship, although the voluntarily childless rated more highly the need for intellectual stimulation and for each partner to be happy about the success of their mate. Compared to women wanting two children, those wanting to be childless expected a partner to perform a wide range of non-traditional roles in the home.
Differentials of fertility between polygynous and monogamous marriages in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Shaikh Kashem , Aziz K. M. A. , Chowdhury A. I.
Published: July 2008

This paper discusses polygynous marriages in rural Bangladesh, using marital status and birth registration data from the Demographic Surveillance System of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, for the period 1975–79. Of all the marriages recorded during this period about 5% were polygynous. To identify the women polygynously married, 1974 census data of the DSS area were used. The difference in age at marriage between the polygynous groom and his subsequent wife was 15 years on average. The socioeconomic indicators studied were education, occupation and area of dwelling space. In general, these indicators differentially influence polygynous marriage. The fertility differentials between women in monogamous marriages were significantly higher than between the women in polygynous unions.
Regional variation in the age-specific natural fertility curve
Authors: Robinson Warren C.
Published: July 2008

This paper examines the question of whether there are consistent regional variations in the level and shape of the age-specific natural fertility curve using data for 45 less-developed countries drawn from a recent US Census Bureau compilation. In general there do not appear to be such variations. A remarkably consistent age pattern of natural fertility emerges, once the rates have been normalized and an adjustment made for age at first exposure to the risk of pregnancy. The results strongly support Coale's original natural fertility paradigm.
Cessation of childbearing in the absence of contraception in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gajanayake Indra
Published: July 2008

In data from the Sri Lanka Fertility Survey, 1975, the cessation of childbearing is examined among women who have never used contraception. They tend to cease childbearing relatively early, and therefore are infertile for longer periods during their marriages. It is probably age of the first child that influences decisions on future fertility.
The relative rate of maturation and its psychological effect
Authors: Goodson Cheryl Sorenson , Jamison Paul L.
Published: July 2008

Growth and psychological data for 74 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study are analysed to determine the influence of the relative timing of maturation upon psychological attributes related to interests, abilities, self-confidence, peer relationships, and future goals. It is suggested that neither age at peak height velocity for either sex, nor age of menarche for girls, represents an adequate measurement of relative maturity status. A new variable that can be used for both sexes, relative maturity, is suggested and computed using peak height velocity as well as the additional information gained from the percentage of adult stature achieved at that time.

Results of separate significance tests using peak height velocity and relative maturity as independent variables reveal early maturers to be more self-confident in specific abilities and also more gregarious during adolescence with higher educational and vocational expectations for the future, while the later maturer is less likely to be influenced by his peers and to have less ambitious long-range goals.
Child mortality and society in Morocco
Authors: Crognier E.
Published: July 2008

Multivariate (correspondence) analysis is employed to identify socioeconomic factors affecting fertility and infant mortality in Marrakesh (Morocco), using questionnaire data from some 3000 women attending 20 dispensaries in different parts of the city. Factors of the material environment (availability of water and electricity in the residence), size of household and number of wage earners in it are pervasive and suggest a polarity between archaic elements in the society (low material comfort, polygyny, absence of contraception) and the more forward looking (monogamy, tertiary occupations). Fertility and child mortality variations reflect this polarity. The differences that occur among the 20 dispensaries direct attention to the neighbourhoods where public health measures may be expected to be most effective and rewarding.
Return of fertility in lactating and non-lactating women
Authors: Zacharias Sergio , Aguilera Eneida , Assenzo J. Robert , Zanartu Juan
Published: July 2008

The return of fertility post-partum and the incidence of pregnancy were studied in 74 mothers who chose not to breast-feed and who wanted another pregnancy promptly (Group I) and 143 mothers who practised exclusive lactation and decided not to use contraceptives (Group II). Women who breast-fed had much lower pregnancy rates than those who did not. During the first 6 months of the study, there were 53 (72%) pregnancies among the Group I women and no pregnancies among Group II mothers. Only sixteen (11%) women in Group II discontinued the study because of inadequate milk secretion. The low rate of pregnancy and the low rates of inadequate milk secretion in Group II appear related to the special efforts made to promote breast-feeding and give proper instruction to the mothers in this group. The successful lactation is attributed to a high suckling frequency, night feedings, ample mother and child skin-to-skin contact, avoidance of bottle feeding for as long as possible, and the clinical staff's regular emotional support and encouragement to the nursing mother.
Suckling patterns and post-partum amenorrhoea in Bangladesh
Authors: Huffman Sandra L. , Chowdhury Alauddin , Allen Hubert , Nahar Luftun
Published: July 2008

The association between breast-feeding patterns and resumption of menses post-partum was examined in a longitudinal study initiated in March 1976 in Bangladesh. Information on suckling patterns and menstrual status was collected on 148 breast-feeding women who were still amenorrhoeic at 17–25 months post-partum at the beginning of the study. Suckling was measured during an 8-hr period once a month for up to 19 months of follow-up.

A high frequency of suckling was found, even at this late post-partum duration. Total suckling time and the number of suckling episodes declined with the age of the child but the mean duration of each episode did not change. The fact that regression analyses did not show a correlation between suckling patterns and return of menses post-partum may be related to the large individual variations in suckling patterns and in the duration of amenorrhoea in this population, and the need to study suckling patterns for longer than 8 hr per day.
Women's perceptions of the safety of the pill: a survey in eight developing countries
Authors: Grubb Gary S.
Published: July 2008

In January 1985, a Gallup poll sponsored by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists reported that 76% of the US women sampled thought that there were substantial risks with using the pill, 31% thought the pill caused cancer and 64% thought the risk of childbearing was equal to or less than that in taking the pill. To assess the perceptions of the pill's safety internationally, a survey of 100–150 urban, middle-class women aged 18–45 years was conducted in each of eight countries in the developing world. There were striking similarities in perceptions of the pill's health effects between countries: (1) taking the pill is considered to have substantial health risks by 50–75% and is thought to be more hazardous than childbearing by over 40% of respondents except those in the African samples; (2) women who had used the pill are as unaware as those who had not of possible serious cardiovascular adverse effects; (3) the protective effects of the pill are virtually unknown; (4) the greatest inconsistency with scientific evidence concerns the risks of sterility and birth defects attributed to pill use. With information from this survey, family planning programmes can rectify almost universal misperceptions of the pill's safety when counselling new and continuing pill users.
Determinants of fertility in Nepal: applications of an aggregate model
Authors: Thapa Shyam
Published: July 2008

Bongaarts' aggregate model of the proximate determinants of fertility is applied to data from the 1976 National Fertility Survey in Nepal. Breast-feeding is shown to be the most important limiting factor, resulting in a reduction of about six children per woman. Decline in the duration of breast-feeding by one-fourth would increase fertility by one additional child per woman. The temporary separation of spouses due to migration is conjectured to be the second most important fertility inhibiting factor, not explicitly accounted for in the standard model. Results are presented for the three major ecological regions, urban-rural residence and educational attainment of the women.
Preferences for sex of children: a multivariate analysis
Authors: Krishnan Vijaya
Published: July 2008

This paper, based on 1973–74 Growth of Alberta Family Study data, examines the sex preference for children among women in Edmonton. Discriminant functions are used to examine whether the two groups of women—those who prefer to have sons and those who prefer to have daughters—differ in selected characteristics such as age, birth place, residence in youth, education, religion, number and sex of siblings, traditional female roles, and attitude towards sex predetermination.

The results show some preference for sons, although generally women prefer to have children of both sexes. The variables birth place, number of female siblings of wife, and education of husband are found to discriminate best among the two groups. In general, the results suggest that sex preference among women is more heavily determined by their country of birth and number of male and female siblings. There is some evidence to suggest that preference for sex of children varies between adolescents and older women. The findings suggest that women generally do not favour the idea of sex predetermination.
Differential paternity in Libya
Authors: El-Faedy Mahjoub A. , Bean Lee L.
Published: July 2008

Libya is one of the Middle East nations with very high fertility, and data from 1973 suggest the presence of a natural fertility regime marked by the absence of fertility limitation within marriage. Analysis of paternity data by occupation, however, identifies major differences in the level and pattern of childbearing. The Libyan data are compared with fertility and paternity data from an American frontier population to demonstrate that the general patterns observed are consistent with other natural fertility populations, while selected occupational groups may limit family size.
Covariates of age at first birth in Guyana: a hazards model analysis
Authors: Vaninadha Rao K. , Murty Komanduri S.
Published: July 2008

Analysis of data from the Guyana Fertility Survey on the trends and covariates of age at first birth among various birth cohorts of women ever in union indicates that an early entry into union is associated with young age at first birth and higher number of children born. Multivariate analysis showed that women with highér education, urban residence, and entry into union at age 20 or older among younger cohorts experienced lower risks for first birth compared to others, and that young women are delaying their first birth for longer durations than older women. Work status of women before first birth and the starting age of union seem to be the two major contributory factors for age at first birth. Noticeably, the role of education has changed and is now more significant among younger cohorts than among older ones for first birth timing.
First intercourse, contraception and first pregnancy in Flanders: changes during the past 30 years
Authors: Lodewijckx E.
Published: July 2008

The investigation of women in Flanders born between 1931 and 1962 shows that premarital sexual intercourse has become almost general and that the age at the onset of sexual intercourse is steadily declining. Until the 1970s in spite of the improving contraceptive behaviour of youngsters, the number of women experiencing premarital pregnancy increased and first conceptions occurred at an increasingly younger age. The 1970s marked a turning-point: fewer women became pregnant before marriage or in adolescence. From that time, the contraceptive revolution kept pace with the sexual revolution.