[The NGO forum in Cairo]. / Le forum des ONG au Caire.

PIP: The role of nongovernmental organizations in the application of population plans of action has been increasingly recognized since the 1974 World Population Conference in Bucharest. More than 1000 nongovernmental organizations were represented at the 1994 Conference in Cairo. Their domains of activity were highly varied, ranging from family planning and women's rights to migration, children's rights, AIDS, and the environment. The forum and workshops held by the nongovernmental organizations during the Conference touched on virtually all topics related to development, but no conclusions were drawn. Unfortunately no synthesis of the contributions of the organizations was added to the Conference report. It is especially regrettable that no overall synthesis is available because the Conference itself paid insufficient attention to questions of development. Adding a report on the activities of the nongovernmental organizations at Cairo could help in defining strategies for the future.^ieng

[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.

[Some thoughts on the development and implementation of a publication plan for results from a population census]. / Elements de reflexion sur l'elaboration et la mise en oeuvre d'un plan de publication des resultats d'un recensement de population.

PIP: The authors assert that the main problem with the 1980 census round in Sub-Saharan Africa was a failure to adequately deliver census results. Their proposal to overcome this fault includes a strategy to plan and implement an effective program supporting the publication of census results. An example from the 1976 Cameroon census is provided.^ieng

[Socioeconomic marginalization: an endogenous factor in rural out-migration? The case of West and Far-North Cameroon]. / Marginalisation socio-economique: facteur endogene de l'emigration rurale? Le cas de l'Ouest et de l'Extreme-Nord du Cameroun.

PIP: Trends in rural out-migration from two provinces of Cameroon are analyzed and compared. Data are from the 1976 census and a 1983 survey. The results show a far higher rate of out-migration from the relatively prosperous West province than from the economically poorer Far-North province. Reasons for this apparent contradiction are sought in the characteristics of the migration from the provinces concerned and in their previous migration histories.^ieng

[Collection of information on indirect estimation techniques: which choice for African demography?]. / La collecte des donnees ou les techniques d'estimation indirecte: quel choix pour la demographie Africaine?

PIP: Considering the lack of statistical data, should African demographers invest their energy in developing better statistical collection methods or continue to correct existing data through the use of indirect estimation technics? The Census could be made more useful to collect satisfactory data, by increasing the number of questions asked, and by a better exploitation of its results. Unfortunately, it is an expensive operation. Retrospective studies are less expensive, but their results are questionable. Follow-up studies are more accurate, but, depending on their object and objective, they can be costly, too. Through civil registration, permanent information on demographic patterns is possible, but civil registration is underdeveloped. Its development depends on economic and human means that are missing in Africa, as well as consistent policies from African States regarding population registration. On the other hand, indirect estimation technics (eg. of Coale-Demeny, Bass, or Pichat and Pressat), are, by definition, moving away from observation: on the field, that is from demographic facts, thereby they move away from reality. It is true that the elaboration of local methods of correction of unsatisfactory data is important; it is even more important to elaborate adapted collection methods. The elaboration by the IFORD, of a new method for its surveys on Infant and Child Mortality in Africa, is a good expression of this trend, even though more experimenting is necessary to improve this method. The future of African demography lays in scientific research. This research should not only work for a better knowledge of the demographic pattern of the continent, but also elaborate the methods leading to this knowledge. For African demographers it is a strategic question.^ieng

[The descendants questionnaire: a method for examining rural exodus in the areas of departure]. / Le questionnaire-descendants: une methode d'approche de l'exode rural dans les zones de depart.

The authors examine the rural exodus in the Cameroon "through the use of a Descendants Questionnaire which is used to record the present place of residence of emigrant children as declared by their fathers. The methodology adopted for this exercise, though it raises certain specific problems, has made possible the recording of concrete conditions prevalent in the areas of departure of migrants." The project reported here began in 1981 and is continuing today. Copies of the questionnaire and the coding sheet are included in appendixes. (SUMMARY IN ENG)

[Current demographic research projects at the Centre de Recherches Economiques et Demographiques]. / Les operations de recherche demographiques en cours au Centre de Recherches Economiques et Demographiques.

PIP: The Center for Economic and Demographic Research (CRED), created in 1980 as 1 of 4 research centers of the Institute of Human Sciences, is currently conducting 3 research operations and other projects as well despite its still small staff of only 4 demographers. 1 of 2 research projects concerning internal migration, the survey of demographic processes and rural exodus in the north and west of Cameroon, was a 2-round survey on a sample of about 36,000 persons. Fieldwork took place in April 1982 and April 1983 and analysis of data is currently underway. The survey had several objectives: a study of the concept of population pressure; a comparison of the role of population pressure in the rural exodus in 2 zones with similar densities but different migratory behavior; a study of levels, correlates, and consequences of migration for sending areas and the links between migrants and their places of origin; improvement of data collection techniques for migration research; and provision of data to assist in design of a rural development policy that would increase retention of rural population. The 2nd internal migration study is a survey of migration among secondary school students. Results of a pilot survey among 2408 students in the west and northwest provinces interviewed in March 1984 are being analyzed. The main survey is planned for January 1985 and is intended to measure the volume and duration of migration among students, to study the characteristics of migrants, and to analyze the causes of movements. The sample size is expected to be about 40,000. A pilot study for the survey of infant mortality in rural areas was begun in March 1984 and was intended primarily to determine the feasibility of data gathering techniques for a larger study of the levels and correlates of infant mortality. The methodology calls for the sample of newborns to be visted at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Arrondissements with high and low infant mortality are to be studied in 3 different ecological zones: sahelian, equatorial forest, and Sudanian. The hypothesis to be tested is that, if physical conditions are the same within a zone, demographic differentials must be explanied by cultural or socioeconomic factors which are amenable to modification by a suitable development policy. Samples of about 1000 newborns are to be followed in each of the 6 categories. The Department of Demographic Research has also undertaken development of a bibliographic data base for population studies in Cameroon. The data base, called POPCAM, has more than 2400 citations thus far.^ieng

[A demographic analysis of migration to Yaounde]. / Essai d'analyse demographique de l'immigration a Yaounde

PIP: In-migration to Yaounde, Cameroon, is examined using data from three censuses and two sample surveys carried out between 1957 and 1976. The adequacy of the available statistics is assessed. Although the volume of migration to Yaounde has been substantial, the author notes considerable variations in this migration over time. The reasons for this migration are identified, but the author cautions against making projections concerning future migration trends in the absence of explanations for these temporal fluctuations. (summary in ENG)^ieng