Asia-Pacific Population Journal - Volume 18, Issue 4, 2004

Data on fertility preferences are often used to help predict future fertility and the demand for contraception. The quality of fertility preference data is of prime importance when examining how well stated fertility preferences predict subsequent births and completed family size, and how well they predict fertility-related behaviour such as contraceptive use. Data on fertility preferences have also been used to construct measures of the unmet need for contraception and of unwanted fertility. The usefulness of these measures, which have been the basis for many studies and some programmatic efforts, depend on the underlying component (stated fertility preferences) being valid and reliable.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the late clinical stage of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The first AIDS case in China was reported in 1985. By 1998, new HIV infections had spread to all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. It has been estimated that HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults rose from less than 0.002 per cent (10,000 cases) in the period 1990-1995 to about 0.2 per cent (1 million cases) in the period 2000-2001 (UNAIDS China, 2002; WHO, 2001). While the rate is still low in comparison with some other affected countries, there is no indication that the spread of HIV/AIDS in China will be controlled or will slow down in the near future (Zeng, 2001; UNAIDS and WHO, 2002).

Until recently, little information has been available on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Nepalese population. Prior to the recognition of HIV/AIDS as a national health problem in the mid-1990s, health authorities in Nepal paid little attention to STIs. Few hospitals or clinics collected statistical information on cases or treatment.

Recent evidence from India suggests a growing prevalence of morbidity and poor health status along with significant increases in longevity in the elderly population (Alam, 2000). Yet, barring a few exceptions, most studies about the health and functional ability of older persons in India are based on impressionistic findings and rarely provide empirical evidence addressing the factors that are associated with morbidity and functional limitations.

This new textbook of demography combines a discussion of methods of analysis of demographic data with explanation of demographic concepts and research issues.