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DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIETY, December 1998, Vol. 27, N? 2

PARK, Kyung-Ae.

Recent trends and patterns of mortality in Korea.

Korea continues to experience rapid demographic transition and population aging. This study examines mortality trends and patterns between 1985-1995. Various death rates and ratios are calculated using death registration data. Mortality trends are analyzed by regression analysis, and life tables are constructed. Major findings are as follows: (1)The primary causes of mortality reduction were declines in infectious, circulatory, and respiratory disease; (2)The relative reduction of mortality was greater for females than males under 70 years of age, but the reverse is observed for people of 70 years and over; (3)Among all age groups, mortality reductions were greatest among children aged 5-9 years; (4)The leading cause of death for those under 40 was traffic accidents. Liver disease was the leading cause of death for those in their 40's, and cerebrovascular diseases were most important for those 50 years of age and over; (5)The major causes of increased death rates for both sexes were cancers (especially lung and large intestine cancer), diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, mental and behavioral disorders, traffic accidents, suicide, and homicide; and (6)Major causes increasing sex differentials in mortality were tuberculosis, cancers (esophagus, large intestine, and liver), liver diseases, drowning, and mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use.

(KOREA, MORTALITY TRENDS, LIFE TABLES, CAUSES OF DEATH, SEX DIFFERENTIALS, DIFFERENTIAL MORTALITY).

English ? pp. 67-82.

K.-A. Park, Vital Statistics Division, National Statistical Office, Korea.

kap@nso.go.kr.

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ODIMEGWU, Clifford Obby.

Application of demographic estimation models to fertility in a Nigerian ethnic group: Implications for population growth and family planning programmes.

This study examines the current level of fertility in a Nigerian ethnic group, the Igbo in Eastern Nigeria, using various modern demographic estimation techniques. The aim is to control for the validity and reliability of estimates derived from these techniques with a view to arriving at more robust estimates. The analysis was from data collected for the study of lactation and birth-spacing dynamics in the Igbo area of Eastern Nigeria. About 1,000 women were selected for subsequent interviewing, out of which the responses of 816 were finally processed. The result of this analysis shows that completed family size in the Igbo area is 6.1. Application of various techniques show that Igbo fertility level remains high -- higher than that of other ethnic groups in Nigeria. The estimated total fertility rate is between 6.8 and 7.4. Explanation for this observed level is sought within the cultural milieu of the area. For instance, there are various names in the area that depict the cultural value placed on having children. That the Igbo still cherish high numbers of children is a strong impediment to the implementation of a successful family planning programme in the area. Efforts should be mounted to discourage high fertility in the area. For instance, in areas where people celebrate the high number of children they have had, they should be made to pay taxes to the government anytime when they want to hold such a celebration.

(NIGERIA, ETHNIC GROUPS, FERTILITY, ESTIMATES, DEMOGRAPHIC MODELS, METHODOLOGY, HIGH FERTILITY ZONES).

English ? pp. 83-101.

C. O. Odimegwu, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

codimeg@oau.net.

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