[Geographic inequalities in mortality in Cameroon]. / Les inégalites géographiques de la mortalité au Cameroun.

Because of the geographic diversity of Cameroon, the analysis of spatial inequalities of mortality is a challenging research topic. This is true for mortality and morbidity as well as for the distribution of underlying factors. Among these are the geographic (or ecological) factors. The example of the distribution of infant mortality is given here. It seems difficult to isolate geographical and socioeconomic factors which are intertwined. Anyway, taking into account the spatial variation of mortality can be a fundamental element in the implementation of health policy.

[Contribution of the Institute for Demographic Training and Research (IFORD) in relation to population activities in Togo]. / Contribution de l'Institut de Formation et de Recherche Demographiques (I.F.O.R.D.) aux activites relatives a la population au Togo

PIP: The IFORD trained 9 Togolese demographers, organized a seminar on population policies in Africa (Lome, March 1979) with the Regional Institute for Population Study and the Population Division of the United Nations, and completed a survey on infant and juvenile mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The latter study included 2 phases: 1) in a 12 months time, a sample of newborns was selected. 2) each newborn was observed until the age of 2 (7 visits). The study was completed in 2 ways. 1) In urban areas, 5 cities were chosen (Yaounde, Ouagadougou, Lome, Cotonou, and Brazzaville), where the EMIJ tracking method was used (follow-up operation, and retrospective operation). 2) In rural areas, where retrospective operation is impossible, and adapted tracking method was designed and experimented with in 3 pilot projets in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Togo (duration 6 months, 4 visits). The tracking operation in Togo covered 7 villages (total population 22,448) with a permanent observation post in each village, and visits by only 1 controller. 45 books on Togolese demography are available at the IFORD's Library. The Documentation Center is going to be extended and join the PopIn-Africa network.^ieng

[Contribution of the Institut de Formation et de Recherche Demographiques (IFORD) to population activities in Cameroon]. / Contribution de l'Institut de Formation et de Recherche Demographiques (I.F.O.R.D.) aux activites relatives a la population au Cameroun.

PIP: The Institute for Demographic Training and Research (IFORD) has contributed more to demographic knowledge in Cameroon than in other countries because of its location within Cameroon. Training in demography at IFORD had 3 phases: classic training, intended to provide students with a solid background in demography including data collection and interpretation and knowledge of population interactions with social and economic development; initiation of research, in which graduates in demography spend a year working on projects at the Institute; and perfecting of research on particular topics by groups of established professionals in sessions lasting up to 4 weeks. 38 Cameroonian demographers have been trained by IFORD since 1974, 4 have received initial research training, and 2 or 3 have been included in each short course. Each year since 1973, IFORD has organized a census or survey in the medium sized towns of Cameroon to provide data as well as training opportunities for future demographers. Most of the surveys have been analyzed and the results published. The publication section of IFORD, created in January 1979, produces 4 series of publications: a liaison bulletin of African demography, Annals of IFORD, notes and documents, and pedagogic documents. 5 issues of the Annals and 2 of the notes and documents have dealt with Cameroon and others are due to appear shortly. A survey on levels and differentials of infant and child mortality is the most important demographic research undertaken by IFORD in Cameroon to date. Each of the 10,000 newborns included was followed at home in 7 visits between 1978-81. Evaluations of sources of demographic data have also been done. IFORD publications containing research findings for Cameroon on topics including urban growth, rural population and agrarian problems, monographs on national and regional populations, mortality, fertility, the active population and employment status, the school age population, and methodologic studies, are classified and listed with complete bibliographic citations. The IFORD Center for Documentation opened in 1972 and since has accumulated over 10,000 works including 170 specialized periodicals.^ieng