Asia-Pacific Population Journal
Vol 18, No. 4, December 2003
How Well Do Desired Fertility Measures for Wives and Husbands Predict Subsequent Fertility? Evidence from Malaysia ( pdf format 126KB) The authors examine responses to two fertility preference questions — regarding whether more children are wanted and desired total family size (compared with actual family size) — that were asked of women and their husbands as part of the First Malaysian Family Life Survey fielded in 1976-1977 and see how well these preferences (and the consistency between them) predict the women’s subsequent fertility, as reported in the Second Malaysian Family Life Survey, fielded 12 years later. Women and their husbands who said in 1977 that they wanted more children were much more likely to have a birth than those who said they did not want more. If there was disagreement between spouses, the husband’s preferences appear to play a stronger role in predicting the likelihood of a subsequent birth. The authors investigate how events during the 12-year period between the surveys, e.g., the death of a child, affect the relationship between fertility preferences and subsequent fertility outcomes. Who Has Correct Information and Knowledge about HIV/AIDS in China?( pdf format 70 KB) This paper identifies the vulnerable groups who have lower levels of specific knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention in China based on the data from the Baseline Survey for IEC in HIV/AIDS Prevention, conducted by the State Family Planning Commission in 2000. The survey collected information from 7,054 men and women aged 15 to 49. Findings indicate that the large urban-rural differential in knowledge of HIV/AIDS diminished after taking account of the effects of other sociodemographic factors. Higher levels of education and media exposure are associated with increased level of correct knowledge. Given the wide disparities in knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention within China, especially by education and media exposure, it is important to have strategic approaches to tailor health education programmes specifically to target those with a low level of education and less access to media in rural areas. Knowledge and Beliefs about HIV/AIDS among Young People in Urban Nepal ( pdf format 76 KB) A survey conducted in 2000 among the population aged 14 to 22 in urban Nepal shows that married young people are generally less knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), their modes of transmission and preventive measures than are their unmarried counterparts. Furthermore, among both single and married persons, females are considerably less informed than males. Overall, married females are the most disadvantaged with respect to knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other STIs. For the unmarried, friends are the primary source of information–seeking and –sharing, while spouses are the primary source for those who are married. Education and the regular reading of print materials have the most consistent associations with correct and relevant information. Findings point to the need to reduce the large gaps that exist between the sexes and marital status, develop more effective communication skills between friends and between spouses and reach out through alternative approaches to the uneducated and those without access to print media. Gender, Health, Marriage and Mobility Difficulty among Older Adults in India ( pdf format 70 KB) India and other countries in South Asia have some of the fastest ageing populations in the world. With higher female survival at older ages, these countries are also experiencing an unprecedented feminization of the elderly population. In spite of these trends, research on gender differences in the health of older adults is limited in these countries. While studies of the elderly in India are rare, there is considerable evidence from developed and some developing countries that women are more likely than men to experience and report poor health and functional disabilities. Studies in the economically advanced countries have also shown an association between gender, marital status, health and disability. However, there is very little information about gender differentials in mobility difficulty among elderly persons in India. Using data from the National Sample Survey (forty-second Round, Schedule 27) of the elderly in India, this study examines the gender disparities in the health of older adults with a focus on mobility-related disability. Logistic regression analysis is used to examine the relationships among gender, marital status, socio-economic status, health and mobility difficulty among older persons in India.