Occupational health services in South African manufacturing industries: a pilot survey

A pilot survey of the distribution and content of occupational health services in South African manufacturing industries was carried out in the Germiston area of the Witwatersrand using the records of the Workmens' Compensation Commissioner as a sampling frame. All establishments with 50 or more workers and a stratified random sample of smaller ones (495 in all) were contacted. The overall response rate was 56% and was positively related to work force size, the larger establishments showing higher response rates. The offering of health services, defined minimally as at least a part-time nurse or doctor employed on the premises, was reported in 11% of work places employing 52% of the work force and was also positively related to work force size. Seventeen percent of establishments had ever monitored environmental conditions, and all classes of industry in the study area fell short of government recommendations. The advantages of the study approach used here, based on a countrywide sampling frame and a mail questionnaire, include 1) the relatively modest cost; 2) the creation of an information framework to which can be added additional information obtained from other sources e.g., factory visits; and 3) the use of a database for sampling that is countrywide, regularly updated, and versatile, with the potential for extending the observations with a similar (geographic) or different focus, for instance, by industrial class or work force size.     

Mozambique 1997: results from the demographic and health survey

This article presents the results from the 1997 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) that was conducted by the Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, Maputo, Mozambique, within the framework of the DHS Program of Macro International. The data for the nationally representative survey were collected from 9282 households and complete interviews were conducted with 8779 ever-married women aged 15-49 years and 2335 men aged 15-64 years. The interviews took place between March and July 1997. Among the summary statistics presented in this report are fertility trends, fertility differentials, fertility preferences, contraceptive prevalence differentials, and marital and contraceptive status. Summary statistics involving postpartum variables, infant mortality trends, and nutritional status are also provided.     

Women and AIDS in Africa: demographic implications for health promotion

The population pyramid in most African countries is symmetricalwith a broad base. However, in urban areas, one finds a prominentone-sided bulge caused by the migration of young males (aged18–35) into the cities for employment. The prevalenceof HIV infection in urban populations in Africa is highest inthe 25–35 year old age-group in males and in the 15–25year old age-group in females. This difference is due to thefact that on average, sexual partnerships are formed betweenolder men and younger women. The distortion of the urban populationprofile caused by male migration results in an overall 1:1 female:maleprevalence ratio of infection. However, as the epidemic spreadsinto the larger rural population, the absolute size of the mostseverely affected younger female population is larger than thesize of the older male population, which eventually resultsin a higher number of infections in women. This excess of female morbidity from HIV infection has importantimplications for the social and the economic role of women insociety. It also adds fuel to an emerging epidemic of paediatricAIDS. Health promotion strategies to address this issue shouldinclude: (1) public policies designed to narrow the male:femaleage-gap of sexual partnership formation; (2) policies addressingthe economic migration patterns of the male work force and;(3) policies to narrow the base of the general population pyramid.     

Jordan Republic 1997: results from the demographic and health survey

This article presents results from the 1997 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) that was conducted by the Department of Statistics, Amman, Jordan, within the framework of the Demographic and Health Survey Program of Macro International. The data for the nationally representative JPFHS were collected from 7335 households, and complete interviews were conducted with 5548 ever-married women aged 15-49 years. Among the summary statistics presented in this report are fertility trends, fertility differentials, fertility preferences, contraceptive prevalence differentials, knowledge and current use of contraceptive methods among currently married women, and marital and contraceptive status. Summary statistics on postpartum variables, infant mortality trends, and nutritional status are also included.     

Evaluating antenatal care in Liberia: evidence from the demographic and health survey

Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios worldwide. Using quality antenatal care (ANC) can prevent maternal mortality. Indicators of quality ANC include: (1) timing of care initiation; (2) number of ANC visits (4+); and (3) ANC with recommended components. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with quality ANC in Liberia. Data from the 2013 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey were used (n = 5,348). Factors associated with quality ANC were assessed using multiple logistic regression. The majority of women attended at least four ANC visits (76.13%) and initiated care in the first trimester (66.5%); however, only 30% received care with all recommended components. Intended pregnancy, contraceptive use, and receiving ANC at a health facility with skilled providers were significantly associated with quality care. The lack of quality ANC may contribute to the high maternal mortality in Liberia. Facilitating access to health facilities and skilled ANC providers could improve the quality of care and potentially improve maternal outcomes over time. Additionally, focusing on empowering women with respect to access to birth control and control over pregnancies may increase the use of quality care.