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  • Title: Seasonality of births in the North West Province, Cameroon: implications for family planning programme.
    Author: Tembon AC.
    Journal: Cent Afr J Med; 1990 Apr; 36(4):90-3. PubMed ID: 2225027.
    Abstract:
    This article presents an analysis of the seasonal variation of births between 1978 and 1987 (10 years) in the North West Province. A total of 157,316 births were recorded during the 10 years in question. Highest delivery peaks noticed in the second half of the year for 8/10 years. This gives conception peaks between October and March. Minimum for all the 10 years taken together occurs in July while maximum occurs in September. Considering 40 weeks as normal gestation period, conception peak for the 10 years taken together occurs in December. This peak is related to the festivities that take place within this month. The findings have important implications for family planning. Family planning education needs to be intensified during the period of highest conception or that which leads up to it. This article presents an analysis of the seasonal variation of births between 1978 and 1987 (10 years) in the North West Province. Data was collected from registered births in health centers and hospitals within the province. A total of 1573 births were recorded during the 10 years in question; this averaged to be 1311 births/month. Highest delivery peaks were noticed in the 2nd half of the year for 8/10 years. This gives conception peaks between October and March. The minimum delivery peak occurs in July while a maximum peak occurs in September. Considering 40 weeks as a normal gestation period, the conception peak for the 10 years taken together occurs in December. This peak is related to the festivities that take place within this month. From 1978-1985, birth and fertility rates/1000 increased from 10.2/1000 in 1978 top 15.4/1000 in 1985 and from 42/3/1000 in 1978 to 15.4/1000 in 1985 and from 42.3/1000 in 1978 to 64.2/1000 in 1985, respectively. In 1986, a decrease in birth and fertility rates was observed; in 1987 the birth rate dropped from 14.6 (1986) to 14.5 while the fertility rate dropped from 61.0 in 1986 to 60.6 in 1987. The findings have important implications for family planning. Family planning education needs to be intensified during the period of higher conception of that which leads up to it.
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