Nicaragua 1998: results from the Demographic and Health Survey.

PIP: This article presents summary statistics gathered from the 1998 Nicaragua Demographic and Health Survey (Encuesta Nicaraguense de Demografia y Salud 1998, ENDESA-98). Data from the nationally representative ENDESA-98 were collected from 11,528 households. Interviews were conducted with 13,634 women aged 15-49 years and 2912 men aged 15-59 years between December 1, 1997, and May 31, 1998. The statistics presented were on fertility trends, fertility differentials, age-specific fertility, fertility preferences, current contraceptive use, contraception, marital and contraceptive status, differentials in median age at first birth, postpartum variables, and infant mortality. In addition, statistical data on the health and nutritional status of children were also presented.^ieng

Peru 1996: results from the Demographic and Health Survey.

PIP: This report presents findings of the 1996 Peru Demographic and Health Survey among 28,951 women 15-49 years old and 2487 men 15-59 years old. Fertility was 3.5 children/woman (5.6 in rural and 2.8 in urban areas). Fertility ranged from 2.1 among higher educated women to 6.9 among women with no formal education. 41.7% wanted the births in the 5 years preceding the survey. 23.2% wanted the birth later. 34.8% wanted no more births. A high percentage of women with 3 or more children wanted no more children. 22.9% currently used modern contraceptive methods. 41.3% used traditional methods. Contraceptive prevalence peaked at ages 35-39 years at 72.9%. Prevalence was 46.0% at 15-19 years old and 40.9% at 45-49 years old. 12% used the IUD. 18% used periodic abstinence. 42.7% of nonusers were menopausal. 12.4% were subfecund. 7.5% feared side effects. The median age at first birth was 21.5 years. Infant mortality was 43/100,000. Infant mortality was very high among rural and uneducated women. Only 1.1% were moderately to severely undernourished, but 25.8% were moderately to severely chronically undernourished.^ieng

Colombia 1995: results from the Demographic and Health Survey.

PIP: This summary report consists of tables and charts from the 1995 Colombia Demographic and Health Survey. The sample included 11,140 women aged 15-49 years. In 1995, population was an estimated 29.5 million. Life expectancy was 67.7 years. 3.8% had no education, 36.5% had a primary education, and 59.7% had a secondary or higher education. Fertility during 1990-95 was 3 children/woman compared to 2.9 during 1985-90. Fertility ranged from 4.3 in rural areas to 2.5 in urban areas, and from 5.0 among uneducated women to 2.5 among women with a secondary or higher education. The mean ideal number of children ranged from 2.2 among women aged 15-19 years to 3.1 among women aged 45-49 years and from 2.1 among women with no children to 3.9 among women with 6 or more children. 40.9% desired a stop to childbearing. The proportion desiring a stop to childbearing hovered between 50.8% among women with 2 children and 46.5% among women with 6 or more children. 54.4% of births were wanted, 24.4% were wanted later, and 21.1% were unwanted. Contraceptive use stood at 59.3% for modern methods and 12.9% for traditional methods; 67.0% in rural areas and 74.4% in urban areas. The proportion of use ranged from 26.2% among women with no children to 82.5% among women with 3 children. Knowledge of modern and traditional methods was high. 13.0% of never users and 17.7% of previous users did not intend to use. 26.3% of nonusers were sterilized or infecund, 31.9% were menopausal or had hysterectomies, and 9.6% desired more children. 9.7% were nonusers due to infrequent sexual intercourse. 32.2% were single, and 54.7% were in a union. The median age at first birth was 22.1 years. Infant mortality had declined. 1.4% of children were moderately to severely acutely undernourished, and 15.0% were moderately to severely chronically undernourished. 3.5% were severely chronically undernourished.^ieng

Paraguay 1990: results from the Demographic and Health Survey.

PIP: Preliminary results from the Paraguay Demographic and Health Survey, 1990, are presented for population, fertility, contraceptive usage, postpartum activity, infant mortality, immunization coverage, oral rehydration treatment, use of health personnel during delivery, and nutritional status. Data were compiled by the Paraguay Center of Population Studies. Surveys were conducted in only the eastern region which contains 98% of the population. Interviews were conducted with 5827 women aged 15-49 years between May 21 and August 24, 1990. 28 tables, graphs, or charts are provided. General demographic data is presented for 1965 and 1985 and the percent change. The percentage of urban or rural women by their educational status is provided. Total fertility rate is shown in 5-year spans between 1955 and 1985, with estimates given for 1990. Fertility differentials are shown for urban or rural residence and educational level. Age-specific fertility is given. The ideal number of children is plotted against the number of living children. Also given the number of women desiring to stop childbearing and the planning status by birth order. Contraceptive prevalence is expressed for residence and educational level, as well as for age and parity. Sources of supply are indicated by choice of modern method, Knowledge of contraception by method of use and knowledge is provided. Intention to use contraception is supplied in terms of number of living children. The reasons for nonuse are generated by age group 30 years and 30 years. Duration of postpartum by status (breast feeding, nonsusceptible, amenorrhea, abstinence) is provided. Status is given by months and mean duration. Survival of children ever born indicates ever born, surviving, and dead. Infant mortality differences are expressed by residence and educational level. Demographic characteristics of those immunized by type of vaccine is given. Statistics on the percentage of children 5 years of age with diarrhea 2 weeks prior to the survey are given. Health personnel involved during the delivery are given. Nutritional status is measured by the status of undernourishment based on weight for height and age data and residence and mother's educational level.^ieng

Peru 1986: results from the Demographic and Health Survey.

PIP: The Peru Demographic and Health Survey, conducted in 1986-87, collected data from 4666 households and included complete interviews with 4999 women 15-49 years of age. The survey was national in scope, covering 93% of the population. This article presents summary statistics from the survey. The 26 tables and figures that comprise this article cover the following topics: general characteristics of the population; distribution of survey sample population by socioeconomic characteristics; fertility trends; fertility differentials, 1983-85; age-specific fertility; ideal number of children by age and number of living children for currently married women; desire to stop childbearing among currently married women; planning status of births in last 12 months, by birth order; contraceptive prevalence differentials; contraceptive prevalence by age and parity; source of current method or information about method; knowledge and use of methods among currently married women; nonuse among exposed currently married women by desire for more children; reasons for nonuse among exposed nonusers; current marital status; differentials in age at 1st union; exposure status of currently married women; duration of postpartum interval by current status; differentials in breastfeeding and amenorrhea; postpartum status by duration since birth; infant mortality trends; infant mortality differentials, 1981-86; children ever born and surviving; percent of children under 5 years of age with health card, and percent immunized; prevalence and treatment of diarrhea among children under 5 years of age; and type of assistance during delivery for births in 5 years prior to survey. The ideal number of children averaged 2.8 among survey respondents. 46% of respondents were current users of a contraceptive method.^ieng

Argentina: spotlight.

PIP: In 1987 Argentina had a population of 31.5 million, with an annual rate of increase of 1.6%. The total fertility rate was 3.3, and the birth rate was 24/1000 population. Mortality stood at 8/1000 population, and the infant mortality rate was 35.3/1000 live births. Life expectancy at birth is 70 years. 84% of the population lives in Argentina's urban areas. Current government policies call for regional development to maintain and increase population in rural areas and control growth in urban centers. 90% of the population is of European descent, largely as a result of high rates of immigration during the 1880s-1930s from countries such as Spain and Italy. In 1985 the gross national product per capita was US$2130. Argentina is rich in resources and almost self-sufficient in terms of basic foodstuffs, power supply, and advanced communication networks. On the other hand, political conflicts and economic crises have hindered the realization of both human and natural resource potential. 80% of the value of export products is the amount due in interest on foreign debts.^ieng

[Fertility and maternal-infant health]. / Fecundidad y salud materno infantil

PIP: The Chilean Association for the protection of the Family was founded 21 years ago in response to serious problems in maternal and child health. A brief history of birth control programs in Chile shows that initial strong government support has been tempered since 1979 by concern over the sharp drop in the birth rate. The number of abortions in Chile has decreased from 28.7/1000 women of reproductive age in 1964 to 11.3/1000 in 1984. Maternal mortality has decreased from 28.6/10000 live births to 3.6/10000 in the same time. Thus these 2 objectives have been very successful. The sharpest decline in the birth rate has been among women over 35 years old, and women of low educational level, indicating perhaps that a greater proportion of children are being born to women most suited to have them. There has been a decrease in the proportion of high risk pregnancies. A high correlation has been found between economic indicators and fecundity, indicating that reproductive behavior is strongly influenced by economic contingencies. Maternal and infant mortality are multifactorial and many different approaches are needed to reduce them. Nevertheless, in the past 20 years, chile has been able to make significant advances in these areas.^ieng

Brazil.

PIP: Included in this profile of the population of Brazil are tables of selected demographic information, including size of population and estimates of fertility and mortality. Specifically, annual estimates of total population are shown beginning in the year 1950. An adjusted population distribution, by age and sex, is provided for the census years 1950 and 1970 and for 1979. Projections of the number of women of childbearing age are shown for each year from 1975 to 1985. Fertility measures shown in the profile include crude birth rates, age-specific fertility rates, and gross and net reproductive rates. Mortality is shown in terms of crude death rates, life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rates, and other life table functions by age and sex. Summary information is also included on family planning, urban population, marital status, and migration. Other related items are included such as number and size of household, educational attainment, and school enrollment. For the 1976-1977 year, the age-specific fertility rate per 1000 women was the following: 15-19 year age group, 57; 20-24 year age group, 192; 25-29 year age group, 217; 30-34 year age group, 183; 35-39 year age group, 128; 40-44 year age group, 60; and 45-49 year age group, 14.^ieng

Neonatal death at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

PIP: Neonatal deaths were investigated at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) over a 4-year period (1974-77). Principal pathological diagnosis at autopsy was compared with clinical diagnosis according to the following criteria: intrapartum hypoxia, hypoxia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), infection and congenital malformation. Babies were classified according to the place of birth: "inborn" (born in UHWI) and "outborn" (born elsewhere). Neonatal mortality, mortality by weight, proportion of babies born at low birth weight, clinico-pathological agreement in principal cause of neonatal deaths, and comparison of first week neonatal deaths between 3 countries (Canada, United Kingdom and UHWI) were detailed in Tables 1-5. 49.6% of neonatal deaths occurred on the first day and 83.5% at the end of the first week; this confirmed the study of Lowry, Hall and Sparke (1976) which showed that 58% of neonatal deaths happen on the 1st extra-uterine day, and 89% within the 1st week. Neonatal mortality in the UHWI was attributed in part to the deficient neonatal care (limited nursing staff, equipment maintenance and supplies). For the period '74-'77, the neonatal mortality rate was 16.87/1000 live births; low-birthweight babies significantly accounted for this mortality. Common causes of death were congenital malformation, infection, RDS, intrapartum hypoxia and hypoxia in very immature babies. In Table 5, UHWI had the highest rate of infection which contributed to neonatal deaths. Prevention of neonatal infection, along with a general improvement in neonatal care would reduce neonatal mortality in UHWI.^ieng

[Infant and child mortality in Latin America].

PIP: High mortality rates persist in Latin America, and data collection is made very difficult because of the lack of reliable statistics. A study was initiated in 1976 to measure the probability of mortality from birth to 2 years of age in 12 Latin American countries. The Brass method was used and applied to population censuses. Probability of mortality is extremely heterogeneous and regularly very high, varying between a maximum of 202/1000 in Bolivia, to a minimum of 112/1000 in Uruguay. In comparison, the same probability is 21/1000 in the U.S., and 11/1000 in sweden. Mortality in rural areas is much higher than in urban ones, and varies according to the degree of education of the mother, children being born to mothers who had 10 years of formal education having the lowest risk of death. Children born to the indigenous population, largely illiterate and living in the poorest of conditions, have the highest probability of death, a probability reaching 67% of all deaths under 2 years. National health services in Latin America, although vastly improved and improving, still do not meet the needs of the population, especially rural, and structural and historical conditions hamper a wider application of existing medical knowledge.^ieng