bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age of mother at last birth in two historical populations
Authors: Desjardins Bertrand , Bideau Alain , Brunet Guy 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis study uses sets of historical family reconstitutions from all of Quebec and from four villages of the Haut-Jura, France—first marriages of 2226 and 994 women, respectively—to investigate the physiological and social factors affecting age of mother at last birth before and during fertility transition. Age remained high throughout the period covered in Quebec, under ‘natural’ conditions, but showed a steady decline in the French material which extends to late 19th century generations practising family limitation.Age at marriage had no influence in Quebec; in France, however, women with the most surviving children at age 35 continued childbearing the latest. There was no link between biological ability to achieve a live birth, or in health status or aging rhythm, and age at last birth. Behaviour of mothers and daughters showed no relation. The variability in age at last birth thus appears to be random under natural conditions; with the onset of controls, social differences seem to influence not only the end of childbearing, but all aspects of behaviour governing final family size and child survival.
The impact of husband's and wife's education and occupation on family size in Zimbabwe
Authors: Adamchak Donald J. , Mbizvo Michael T. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper assesses the impact of husband's and wife's education and occupation on family size in Zimbabwe. Results from the 1988 Male Fertility Survey indicate that husband's education had a strong negative effect, and wife's education had a moderate negative effect on the number of children ever born. Contrary to the literature, wives who were not employed had significantly fewer children than those who work in agriculture, and fewer, but not significantly, than those in non-agricultural occupations. Findings show the importance of husband's education and the changing dynamics of wife's occupation in fertility decline.
Effects of family sex composition on fertility preference and behaviour in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury A. I. , Bairagi Radheshyam , Koenig Michael A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe effects of family sex composition on fertility preferences and behaviour during the period 1977–88 are examined using longitudinal data from Matlab, Bangladesh. The sex composition of living children was found to be systematically related to fertility preferences and behaviour, with a higher number of sons at each family size associated with a higher percentage of women wanting no more children, a higher percentage currently using contraception, and lower subsequent fertility. However, the highest percentage wanting no more children, using contraception and having lowest subsequent fertility was found among women who already had one daughter as well as at least one son. The effects of sex preference on fertility preferences and behaviour were measured using an index developed by Arnold (1985). The results suggest that while sex preference remained largely unchanged during the study period, its effect on contraceptive use declined and its impact on actual fertility remained modest and fairly stable.
Premature childbirth: social and behavioural risks in Singapore
Authors: Leong Wai Ping , Viegas O. A. C. , Ratnam S. S. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe associations of social and behavioural factors on preterm birth in Singapore were studied using hospital maternity records of 20,723 consecutive singleton births between January 1986 and November 1991. The overall proportion of preterm births was 3·6%, the rates for the Chinese, Malay and Indian groups being 3·2%, 3·8% and 4·9% respectively. Teenage mothers were at a higher risk of preterm labour compared to women aged 20–29 years. The incidence of preterm labour decreased with increasing educational status. Preterm births were six times more likely in women who had no antenatal care. Women who had three or more previous births were at a higher risk, while those who had one or two previous births were at a lower risk compared to women who had none.
The polygyny–fertility hypothesis revisited: the situation in Ghana
Authors: Sichona Francis J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryRe-examination of the polygyny–fertility hypothesis, by multiple regression analysis of the 1988 Ghana DHS data, reveals that polygyny has no effect on the number of children ever born; i.e. polygynously married women are as fertile as those monogamously married. Husband's age has no significant role in determining the number of children ever born to a woman.
Effect of son preference and population policy on sex ratios at birth in two provinces of China
Authors: Wen Xingyan 
Published: July 2008

SummaryTwo samples of births were used to examine the effect of son preference and population policy on sex ratios in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces of China. The results from all births to women aged 15–49 in the 1985 In-Depth Fertility Survey indicated a strong son preference but no clear policy impact on sex ratios at different birth orders. In a sample of selected births during 1975–84 to women aged 40 or under, the mixed influences of son preference and population policy were clearly reflected in the high and rising overall ratios at birth, and the increasing sex ratios with parity. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
Marriage distances among the Afroamericans of Bluefields, Nicaragua
Authors: Biondi Gianfranco , Rickards Olga , Guglielmino Carmela R. , De Stefano Gian Franco 
Published: July 2008

SummaryIn a sample of 311 couples from the Afroamerican community of Bluefields, Eastern Nicaragua, the distribution of matrimonial distance shows a deviation from the leptokurtic rule. This results from assortative mating among the population.
Menarcheal age in University of Warwick young women
Authors: Dann T. C. , Roberts D. F. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryData from the final 16 years of a 28-year ongoing survey of menarcheal age are reported. From 1971 onwards, recalled aged at menarche was recorded for all young women entering the University of Warwick. These data show that mean menarcheal age is increasing, a trend which is independent of father's occupation, family size, position of girl in the family, and physique. This continues a similar upward tendency noted in a preceding study in Swansea. It appears that the downward trend to earlier age at menarche of the earlier decades of this century has been replaced by one in the opposite direction.
Consanguinity in north Jordan: prevalence and pattern
Authors: Al-Salem Mahmoud , Rawashdeh Nayel 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe rate of consanguineous mating in north Jordan was 63·7% with an average inbreeding coefficient of 0·0283. First cousin marriages were the most predominant type (58·5%); villagers showed higher levels than city dwellers. The level of female education did not influence consanguinity rate.
Influence of socioeconomic factors on basic competencies of children in Bangladesh
Authors: Mohsin M. , Nath S. R. , Chowdhury A. M. R. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe effects of selected socioeconomic factors on basic competencies of children in Bangladesh were studied using primary data on 2520 children from all over the country. The residence of the child, years of schooling, parental education and economic status of the household were found to be important determinants of basic competencies of children.
Is fertility falling in Zimbabwe?
Authors: Udjo Eric O. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryWith an unequalled contraceptive prevalence rate in sub-Saharan Africa, of 43% among currently married women in Zimbabwe, the Central Statistical Office (1989) observed that fertility has declined sharply in recent years. Using data from several surveys on Zimbabwe, especially the birth histories of the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, this study examines fertility trends in Zimbabwe. The results show that the fertility decline in Zimbabwe is modest and that the decline is concentrated among high order births. Multivariate analysis did not show a statistically significant effect of contraception on fertility, partly because a high proportion of Zimbabwean women in the reproductive age group never use contraception due to prevailing pronatalist attitudes in the country.
Fertility norms and son preference in Morocco and Tunisia: does women's status matter?
Authors: Obermeyer Carla Makhlouf 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper investigates the normative and behavioural dimensions of son preference in Morocco and Tunisia, using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of the two countries. It considers three measures of son preference: (1) mothers' ideal number of children, and any preference for having more sons than daughters; (2) the desire for additional children, given their existing family; (3) reported use of contraception in relation to the existing number of children of each sex. The analyses indicate a moderate preference for sons in both countries, and suggest that this preference is somewhat stronger in Tunisia. These findings are interpreted within the cultural context of the two countries, and in particular societal notions of women's status.
Racial differences in the relationship between infant mortality and socioeconomic status
Authors: Stockwell Edward G. , Goza Franklin W. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper presents an ecological analysis of the relationship between infant mortality and economic status by race in metropolitan Ohio, using census data on mother's residence, and economic status determined by the percentage of low income families living in each area. White–non-white comparisons for total infant mortality are examined for the US censuses of 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990; and more detailed period- and broad cause-specific rates are presented for 1990. A pronounced inverse association is found between income status and infant mortality for whites, but not for non-whites. Non-white post-neonatal death rates were higher for the lowest income area, but for neonatal mortality, total infant deaths, and exogenous and endogenous cause-specific death rates, there was no discernible socioeconomic differential. It is concluded that low income whites and non-whites at all income levels have infant mortality rates that are substantially higher than the overall rate for the population. Policy implications are discussed.
Family formation patterns among migrant women in Sydney
Authors: Yusuf Farhat , Siedlecky Stefania 
Published: July 2008

SummaryA demographic survey among a probability sample of 980 married migrant women was carried out in Sydney in 1988. The sample included 507 Lebanese, 250 Turkish and 223 Vietnamese women. The study revealed differences in family formation patterns within and between the three groups and between them and the general population. Family size had declined among all three groups compared with their family of origin, and it was clear that the younger women would not achieve the same family sizes as the older women. Migrant women tended to marry earlier than the general population and to start their families earlier. While they showed a strong preference for their children to marry within their own ethnic and religious group, nearly one-third said it was up to the choice of the individual. Overall, the future family size of younger migrant women is expected to converge towards the Australian norm. Migrant families are in a state of transition between two cultures which needs to be recognised by health and family planning service providers.
Relationship between survival status of first child and subsequent child death
Authors: Rahman M. M. , Kabir M. , Amin R. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper examines the association between infant mortality of the first born and subsequent children using data from rural Bangladesh collected during the period 1971–82. It shows that birth spacing and age of mother at the time of the second birth are important predictors of the survival status of the first child. The findings are discussed in terms of policy implications.
The fertility transition in Cuba and the Federal Republic of Korea: the impact of organised family planning
Authors: Noble Jeanne , Potts Malcolm 
Published: July 2008

SummarySouth Korea and Cuba are dissimilar in religion, economy, culture and attitudes toward premarital sexual relations. In 1960, Korea instituted a national family planning programme to combat rapid population growth. Cuba explicitly rejected Malthusian policies, but made family planning universally available in 1974 in response to health needs. Both countries have undergone rapid fertility declines and today have less than replacement level fertility. Both countries have also used a similar mixture of methods, including a high prevalence of female sterilisation. Abortion has played a major role in the fertility decline of both countries, rising in the first half of the fertility transition and then falling, although remaining a significant variable in the second half. It is concluded that access to contraception, voluntary sterilisation, and safe abortion has a direct impact on fertility and has been associated with a rapid fall in family size in two very different countries.
Mass media messages and reproductive behaviour in Nigeria
Authors: Bankole A. , Rodríguez G. , Westoff C. F. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis paper examines the effects of exposure to mass media messages promoting family planning on the reproductive behaviour of married women in Nigeria using cross-sectional data. Longitudinal data are also used to ensure that exposure to media messages pre-dates the indicators of reproductive behaviour. Cross-sectional analysis suggests that: (1) contraceptive use and intention are positively associated with exposure to mass media messages, and (2) women who are exposed to media messages are more likely to desire fewer children than those who are not exposed to such messages. Similarly, analysis of the longitudinal data shows that exposure to mass media messages is a significant predictor of contraceptive use. Thus, exposure to mass media messages about family planning may be a powerful tool for influencing reproductive behaviour in Nigeria.
Factors affecting use of contraception in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Mehrab Ali 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis study examines the relationship between family planning, perceived availability of contraceptives, and sociodemographic factors in rural Bangladesh. Data are from the 1990 KAP survey in the Matlab treatment and comparison areas, using a sample of about 8500 married women of reproductive age. The contraceptive prevalence rate was 57% in the treatment area but substantially lower in the comparison area where mainly traditional methods of family planning were used by women who did not know of a source of supply of contraceptives. Education has no effect on contraceptive use in the treatment area but in the comparison area, modest but consistent differentials in use by level of education were found. Number of living children is the best predictor for contraceptive use, followed by number of living sons, and the attitude of respondents and their husbands towards family planning.
Prior and proximate causes of infant survival in Ghana, with special attention to polygyny
Authors: Amankwaa Adansi A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis study examines the role of marriage form in infant mortality and tests the relative effects and mechanisms through which polygyny affects infant survival. A sample of infants born in the 5 years preceding the 1988 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was used. A causal model was constructed and polygyny was found to be an important mediating factor in understanding infant survival. The findings highlight the relevance of family structure (polygyny) as an intervening factor, but also reveal the complex role of ethnicity, dietary supplement and birth interval in accounting for infant survival.
Influence of family head's reproductive behaviour on the use of modern contraceptive methods by other members of the family in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Kamal Nashid 
Published: July 2008

SummaryA study in Bangladesh showed that the probability of use of modern contraception by eligible family members of a household increases significantly if the household head himself is a user. Multinomial logistic regression showed that contraceptive use was also significantly related with maternal age, parity, education, socioeconomic status and experience of child mortality. Inclusion of ever use of modern contraceptives by the family head or his wife, showed family head's religiosity to be a significant predictor of use, apart from his age and parity, and after controlling for socioeconomic correlates.
Influence of body mass index and slimming habits on menstrual pain and cycle irregularity
Authors: Montero P. , Bernis C. , Fernandez V. , Castro S. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryUsing a cross-sectional sample of 1147 urban adolescents, aged between 14 and 20 years, the variability of some menstrual cycle indicators was related to weight loss. Nearly 40% of the adolescents tried to lose weight and the results showed that attempting to lose weight is significantly associated with increased prevalence of menstrual irregularity and menstrual pain. This finding is independent of body mass index.
Sociodemographic risk factors associated with low birthweight in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Bener A. , Abdulrazzaq Y. M. , Dawodu A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis case-control study was undertaken to determine socio-demographic risk factors for low birth weight in Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) over a 12-month period in 1992–93. A total of 3485 live births occurred of which 293 (8·4%) were low birth weight. The risk factors considered were mother's occupation, house conditions, place of residence (urban or rural), maternal smoking habits, antenatal care, availability of help in the home, maternal BMI and educational status. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that mother's occupation, maternal smoking, antenatal care, and lack of help in the home were associated with increased risk of low birth weight.
Stress and age at menarche of mothers and daughters
Authors: Campbell Benjamin C. , Udry J. Richard 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe hypothesis that psychological stress during early childhood leads to advanced reproductive maturation was assessed using data from the California Childhood Health and Development Study. Regression analyses failed to indicate that bed wetting, nightmares or thumb-sucking at age 5 predict age at menarche, regardless of controls for mother's age at menarche. Among socioeconomic variables suggested as contextual stressors measured at age 9–11 only mother's education was a significant predictor of daughter's age at menarche, though its effect is trivial compared to mother's age at menarche. Path analysis on a subsample of the subjects failed to demonstrate the hypothesised indirect effect of mother's age at menarche on daughter's age at menarche acting through early marriage and marital dissolution. These results cast doubt on the theory that early childhood stress is the key to divergent reproductive strategies among females based on the timing of reproductive maturation.
Coital frequency among married and cohabiting couples in the United States
Authors: Rao K. V. , Demaris Alfred 
Published: July 2008

SummaryCoital frequency is studied among couples as a function of marital or cohabiting status, relationship duration, number of children, religious affiliation, income, education, fertility intentions, age, race, self-assessed health, time spent in work, and perceived relationship quality. Data are from the 1987–88 National Survey of Families and Households. Predictors of coital frequency that were stable across several analyses were male's and female's ages, the duration of the relationship, and the male partner's self-assessed health. When the discrepancy in partners' reports was adjusted, cohabitation status, number of children, future fertility intentions, religious affiliation, and relationship quality as assessed by the female partner were significant. The results suggest a substantial idiosyncratic component to the determination of coital frequency in relationships.
Ethnicity and obstetric performance in Singapore
Authors: Viegas O. A. C. , Leong W. P. , Chia Y. T. , Yeoh S. C. , Ratnam S. S. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe influence of ethnicity on obstetric performance in Singapore was assessed by retrospective analysis of all deliveries in the National University Hospital over a 7-year period. Malay mothers were younger, shorter, less educated, of higher parity, were more likely to have had no antenatal care, and had the highest incidence of premature labour. However, mothers of Indian origin had the smallest babies, the highest incidence of low birth weight and significantly higher perinatal mortality rates. Chinese mothers fared better than their Malay and Indian counterparts in all parameters assessed. The ethnic origin of the mother has an important bearing on perinatal performance. This emphasises the importance of designing appropriate strategies to improve perinatal health in the different ethnic groups.
Dimensions of occupations: genetic and environmental influences
Authors: Lichtenstein Paul , Hershberger Scott L. , Pedersen Nancy L. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis study investigates the dimensions of occupation, and distances between occupational categories, by using intra-pair differences in adult occupational position for identical twins reared apart. Status and farm dimensions of occupation were identified. The results validate the use of occupational status as a dimension of occupational position. The causes of individual differences for the derived status dimension were also evaluated, based on groups of identical and fraternal twins reared apart or together. Genetic effects accounted for a substantial amount of the variance in occupational status for men, while shared and non-shared environmental effects were of about equal importance. For women, genetic effects were less important, and shared and non-shared environmental effects accounted for more of the variation. The results confirm that genetic effects are important sources of the familial resemblance often found for occupational status for men.
Influence of industrialisation on marital behaviour in Beduído (Estarreja), Portugal
Authors: Padez Cristina , Abade Augusto 
Published: July 2008

SummaryFrom marriage records of a Northern Portuguese parish for 1900–80, endogamy and exogamy rates were calculated for birthplace and residence in order to analyse the effect of industrialisation on the population structure after 1940. Marriages that were endogamous relative to birthplace decreased between 1940–49 (58·9%) and 1988 (20·5%), while exogamy increased. Exogamous marriages in which people came from outside the municipality (51·92%) were greater than those of the surrounding region (42·04%). After industrialisation, the pattern of marriages changed for residence, with an increase in the number of individuals who came from the district to work in the factories and married. Industrialisation advanced the start of exogamy which, for most Portuguese populations, began later, in the 1960s.