ABSTRACT
Context/Background: In developing countries, fertility is usually higher in rural than urban areas. This is partly due to lower access to and utilization of reproductive health services in rural areas. However, migration to cities may alter the fertility behaviour of migrants from rural areas. Data Source and Methods: The study used 2012 Benin Republic Demographic and Health Survey data and focused on married women aged 15-49 years and residing in Cotonou (n=722). Tobit regression was employed for the multivariate-level analysis. Findings: The results showed that migrants adapt gradually to the fertility patterns of non-migrants. This gradual adaptation is compounded by a relative selectivity of migrants whose fertility preferences are similar to those of non-migrants. Finally, recent migrants for employment or school reason had the lowest number of births over the past five years, which supports the disruption hypothesis. Conclusion: The migration-fertility relationship depends on the length of residence, migrant' socioeconomic characteristics and reason for migration
Subject(s)
Benin , Fertility , Urban AreaABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study of pregnant women was conducted at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala; to investigate the prevalence and effect of Plasmodium falciparum infections during pregnancy; in a peri-urban/urban location. Overall; 544 pregnant women were recruited when they presented at the labout ward for delivery. After giving informed consent; each subject answered a questionnaire and underwent a physical examination; and peripheral-blood samples were obtained. After each uncomplicated delivery; samples of placental and cord blood were obtained from the placenta and infant; respectively; and infant birthweights were recorded. Smears were prepared from the blood samples and checked for parasites. Only 46 and 36 of the 537 women investigated were positive for P.falciparum infection in their peripheral and placental blood; respectively. Plasmodium falciparum was the only parasite encountered. The prevalences of low birthweight and maternal parasitaemia and the intensities of maternal infection were each greater in primigravidae than secundi-or multi-gravidae. Despite the low prevalence of parasitaemia in this population; P. falciparum infection in the primigravidae was a significant contributor to their ill health; leading to low birthweights in their infants