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1994 - VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2

95.85.1 - English - Kotsaythoune PHIMMASONE, Manisone OUDOM, Vincent FAUVEAU, Isabelle GODIN and Phonethep PHOLSENA Socio-cultural and economic determinants of contraceptive use in the Lao People's Democratic

This article reports on the country's first national survey on fertility and contraceptive knowledge and use, the objective of which was to explore the demand for contraceptive services before designing a birth-spacing programme to improve the health of mothers and children. The survey of 4,154 currently married women revealed: a general desire for families of four children, a common misconception about the fecund period in the menstrual cycle, a very high demand for family limitation in contrast with a limited demand for birth spacing, a substantial knowledge of modern contraceptive methods, a 15 per cent current use rate of modern contraception, with a general readiness to pay for contraceptive services, and a great need to develop information programmes throughout the country. (LAOS, FERTILITY SURVEYS, KNOWLEDGE OF CONTRACEPTIVES, CONTRACEPTIVE USAGE)

95.85.2 - English - Farhat YUSUF and Monica BYRNES Ethnic mosaic of modern China: An analysis of fertility and mortality data for the twelve largest ethnic minorities

Using data from the recently released 1990 census, this article presents preliminary findings regarding some aspects of demographic behaviour of the 12 largest minority groups in China. The size, growth rate and age structure of the groups are examined as well as their fertility and mortality patterns, using the total population of China as the standard. Where possible, comparisons are made with the results of the 1982 census. Overall, the ethnic minorities were found to have younger age structures and their levels of fertility and mortality (including infant mortality) were higher than those of the total population. Many of the minorities were found to be concentrated in relatively remote and mountainous areas which have not fully experienced the benefits of recent social and economic development efforts in China. (CHINA, ETHNIC MINORITIES, DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILES)

95.85.3 - English - Arvind V. ZODGEKAR The social impact of recent and prospective mortality decline among older New Zealanders

Recent declines in mortality among the older New Zealand population are significant. This article demonstrates the extent of that decline among the total and the older population, and discusses its effects on population composition and family relationships. It also discusses the extent of morbidity and the impact of ageing on future health care facilities. It concludes that, as the emphasis of public policy shifts from institutional care to community care, there is an urgent need to plan for the transfer of necessary resources to the community in order for it to cope with this increasing burden. It also finds that there will be increased demands for geriatric hospital and community care that need to be planned for. (NEW ZEALAND, DEMOGRAPHIC AGEING, AGED, HEALTH POLICY)

1994 - VOLUME 9, NUMBER 3

95.85.4 - English - Li WEI Human resources development and poverty alleviation: A study of 23 poor counties in China

In recent years, poverty has become a serious issue in the socioeconomic development of China. One of the most important features of poverty is "poor population quality", a factor that also causes poverty. Human resources development (HRD) strategies have been used as a weapon against poverty in many developing countries; some have proven to be quite effective. This article, which researches the relationship between HRD indicators and poverty status, finds that enhancement of education levels, improvement of health status, the gaining of skills and experience, increasing time away from home and choosing suitable occupations, all can contribute greatly to the reduction and alleviation of poverty. (CHINA, POVERTY, HUMAN RESOURCES)

95.85.5 - English - Omer ERTUR The need for a national urbanization policy in Nepal

Even though Nepal is one of the least urbanized countries in South Asia, its urban growth rate is the highest among the countries comprising SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). This article argues that planned urbanization in Nepal would be beneficial for the country's development initiatives; however, the rapid and haphazard urbanization that is currently taking place is a matter of great concern. It brings out a number of implications for policy and concludes with a set of recommendations. (NEPAL, URBANIZATION, DEVELOPMENT POLICY)

95.85.6 - English - Amir KHAN Interrelationships between demographic factors, development and the environment in the ESCAP region

In the ESCAP region, urban areas account for as little as 6 per cent of the total population in Bhutan to as much as 100 per cent in Singapore. This article considers a number of issues related to urbanization in the region, such as the growth of cities, rural-to-urban migration and various urbanization problems including those related to the environment. It concludes with a set of recommendations that may be helpful to the Governments of countries facing urbanization problems. (ASIA, URBANIZATION, URBAN PROBLEMS, GOVERNMENT POLICY)

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