1984Trends in Fertility and Contraceptive Practice (Brazil)
Between1960 and 1980, fertility declined in the Southeastern region of Brazil. To understand the factors affecting this trend, researchers on this project will investigate the prevalence of contraceptive practices among women who began their childbearing period after 1950. Among the factors to be examined are age at marriage, breast-feeding practices, abortion and frequency of intercourse, as well as women's socioeconomic situation and area ofresidence.
Post-Project Summary:
Researchers surveyed 1 217 low-income women between the ages of 40-54 years, 613 from the predominantly urban area and 604 from a rural/agricultural area in Rio de Janeiro regarding their reproductive history and their own, and their mothers', socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The study confirmed that fertility rates had indeed fallen -- the women surveyed averaged 5.28 live births, compared to 8.45 for their mothers B and that this was due in part to contraceptive use -- users of contraceptives averaged 5.13 live births while non-users averaged 5.71. The contraceptive pill was used by 32.6% of both urban and rural users. The women surveyed tended to be better educated and more likely to work outside the home than their mothers; religion seemed not to be a factor in contraceptive use. The project was part of an informal network of IDRC-supported projects that included "83-0090 Fertility among the Urban Poor (Peru)" and "82-0246 Fertilityin Urban Slums (Paraguay)". The principal researcher participated in the seminar "Fertility among the Urban Poor in Latin America", held in Paraguay. Training Information: The project leader and principal researcher completed her doctoral studies at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Malaria in the Amazon Frontier (Brazil)
Levelsof malaria are high and rising in many areas of Brazil, particularly inthe areas of colonization in the Amazon basin. Efforts to control the malaria problem in the Amazon frontier are hindered by the lack of information on conditions there. The purpose of this project is to provide information on social, economic and cultural factors associated with malaria in the region. Researchers will study economic activity and migration flows in the Sao Felix do Xingu area; develop and test a methodology for collecting data on malaria prevalence and for identifying determinants; and evaluate the effectiveness of malaria control health services, and make appropriate policy recommendations.
Post-Project Summary:
In 1984, a multi disciplinary team surveyed 887 families in southern Paraprovince regarding their socioeconomic characteristics, economic activity, housing, mobility, history, and perception of malaria. A shorter questionnaire was administered to 388 gold miners, a group of whom were tested for malaria. A longitudinal study of hundreds of settler households in Rondonia was begun in the same year. Gold miners and rural workers had twice the rate of malaria as urban workers and employers who, in turn, had double the rate of children and the inactive. This suggested outdoor transmission and the need to broaden the conventional approach (house-spraying and anti-malarialdrugs) to include methods requiring community participation. "Self-diagnosis",as elicited through malaria histories, was found to be a useful methodological tool. Control measures designed for specific groups were recommended (e.g.vector control, environmental management, and protective clothing for settlers; and diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals among resource workers).Research results were discussed with policymakers and presented at various seminars, including the one on malaria held in Barcelona, Spain, October26-30, 1987.
Social-EconomicCorrelates of Child Nutrition (Argentina)
Argentinahas a history of generally high nutritional levels, yet there is evidence that important differences exist between social classes with respect to food intake and child malnutrition. Nutritional problems are particularly evident among the urban poor in provincial cities where unemployment and poverty have become widespread. Researchers in this project will examine the socioeconomic determinants and educational consequences of malnutrition among children in Grade One in Cordoba, a small provincial city. Specifically, researchers will assess the nutritional status of children in the study sample; the socioeconomic conditions of the parents and families of these children; the impact of parental knowledge and food consumption habits upon malnutrition; and, the effects of malnutrition on cognitive abilities and school performance.
Fertility Among the Urban Poor (Peru)
Researchon social, economic and cultural determinants of high fertility and low rates of contraceptive adoption is now a priority for the government of Peru. The government is seeking to coordinate research and generate new knowledge on ways to reinforce the current family planning program. Oneof their major priorities is to carry out further research on the socialand economic determinants of fertility in low-income urban settlements with a high proportion of rural-urban migrants. This project will studyfactors determining household composition, fertility and family planning practices in Lima. The project will provide new knowledge on the determinants of fertility in this population, and on the role of family planning services and community institutions in mediating changing patterns of contraceptive adoption.
Post-Project Summary:
Researchers interviewed 894 low-income families in Lima regarding their place of origin(Lima or other), fertility, education, and work. In-depth case studies, involving a recording of the life history of each member, were undertaken on 17 families. Almost half of the employed had completed high school but the jobs that they held were not correspondingly skilled; 50% of those working, and the majority of the women, were employed in the informal sector; and both paid and unpaid work ('ayuda') were found through the family.The female population was young (67% were under 35 years), educated (75% had completed high school), and economically active (45% brought in income).Knowledge of contraception was positively correlated with education, butonly half of those claiming to know about contraception (63%) actually practised it (33%). And, although the younger women (20-24 years) tended to be better educated, they had the highest fertility rate; contraceptiont ended to be practised by older women with a view to limiting family size rather than spacing. The project had links with a similar project in Paraguay(82-0246). The study findings were disseminated through seminars. Informationon the existence or role of family planning services was not given.
Internal Migration (Brazil)
The state of Piaui in Northeast Brazil has long been an exporter of human resources but there has been evidence of increased rural-urban migration within Piaui over the past two decades. This accelerated urbanization may be due to the push of rural poverty rather than the pull of urban jobs, but there has been little research conducted to date to substantiate this thesis. This project will endeavour to identify the trends and causes of migratory flows in Piaui state for the period 1960-1980, to provide a basis for policy formulation. It will also undertake an evaluation of government policies in Piaui designed to create employment, return workers to their areas of origin, and improve the living conditions of rural and urban populations.
Post-Project Summary:
The survey sample consisted of 620 households comprising 3 261 individuals in 11 municipalities, 62% in urban areas, in the province of Piaui. Householders were questioned regarding their reasons for migrating, their destination, and their socioeconomic and familial context. Within the sample, 36.8% were classified as "immigrants" (permanent residents from elsewhere), 17.6% as "emigrants" (permanent residence elsewhere), 17.1% as "return migrants",and 28.5% as "non migrants" or "potential migrants". Three-quarters ofthe migration took place within Piaui itself. Immigrant migration was ofthe family type, characterized by short distances and rural origins. Emigrantst ended to be single, skilled individuals, aged 20-29 years, who moved tofind work. Migrants who returned to their old homes tended to be less favoured in terms of income and education than those who returned to a different home. Potential migrants declared large urban centres rather than frontier agricultural lands as their destination. It was concluded that "push" factors (such as climatic or economic adversity) played a greater part than "pull"factors (employment possibilities) in the decision to migrate. A seminaron migration was held by the Fundacao Centro de Pesquisas Economicas eSociais do Piaui (CEPRO).
Regional Labour Force Dynamics (Bolivia and Ecuador)
This project will support collaboration, between the Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Economica y Social in Bolivia and the Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Socio-economicos in Ecuador, in a study of regional development processes and their effect on labour force dynamics and community development. The project will strengthen regional social science research capability by providing training in research methodology and data collection and analysis.
Post-Project Summary:
This project focused on a study of regional development in Ecuador and Bolivia and its effect on labour force dynamics and community development. As well, the project attempted to increase research capacity through the participation of younger researchers in all aspects of the project, through seminars and workshops; and through discussions with researchers from other Latin American countries. Study methodology included analysis of data on social movements gathered from newspapers and other publications; analysis ofthe organization of local power groups; qualitative analysis of political events; and survey analysis. Topics for study included the effect of national economic activities on regional development; the role of communities inregional development; factors affecting regional labour force dynamics; and government response to regional demands. It was noted that findings pertained to a discussion of various social phenomena (social movements, labour markets, and public policies), rather than direct policy/program application. It was concluded that the project strengthened collaboration among countries, and communication with policy makers. Related projectswere "Community Adaptation and Migration (Peru) (3-P-84-0296) and "SelfHelp Organizations (Chile)" (3-P-85-1026). Training Information: From July-August1984, 35 visiting professors, 29 students, and representatives from 16 Latin American institutions attended a workshop in Bolivia. A second workshopwas held from October- November 1985, and a third workshop was held in October 1986 to discuss results of related projects. It was noted that several junior researchers benefited from training provided in the project.