Proximate Determinants of Birth Seasonality and Conception Failure in Nepal
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5029313 |
|---|---|
| Authors | C Panter-Brick (0000-0002-4635-2234, Durham University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1996 |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 203-220 |
| Publication date | 1996-07-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Population Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0032-4728 • E-ISSN: 1477-4747 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0032472031000149306 |
| PMID | 11613333 |
| OpenAlex | W2089442602 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 20 |
Research on the underlying causes of population variation in levels of natural fertility has recently been given new impetus with the development of endocrinological measures able to track biological variation in human fecundity. Birth seasonality was examined for a non-contracepting population with low fertility and seasonally heavy workloads in rural Nepal. Reproductive histories were collected from 1983 to 1993, totalling 1829 live births (1532 with known month of birth) to 521 women of average parity 3.5 (SD 1.5) births. The seasonal pattern of conceptions was examined in light of previously collected data on marriage patterns, climatic seasonality, subsistence workloads, energy balance, nursing patterns, lactational amenorrhoea, and endocrinological measures of prolactin and ovarian function. Both the frequency distribution of live births and a life-table analysis of women's exposure to the risk of conception show significant seasonality. The size of seasonal variation, with peak conception rates raised by 98 per cent, is just below that reported for Bangladesh. Two troughs were observed, one in the winter, the other in mid-monsoon. The former is likely to be associated with behavioural variables affecting intercourse, namely the temporary separation of spouses. The latter coincides with suppressed ovulation and low progesterone profiles, and indicates a temporary loss of fecundity for women in negative energy balance during the monsoon agricultural season. This small-scale but intensive case study of a seasonal limitation to rates of conception illustrates how endocrinological data can be used to distinguish between the biological and behavioural determinants of fertility in human populations
Biology · Birth rate · Childlessness · Family planning · Fecundity · Fertility · Geography · Natural fertility · Population · Seasonality · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Demography · Ecology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Global Maternal and Child Health
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| Citations per year | 0.74 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1999 - 2025 (27) |
| Highly cited | No |