Demography, Demography Cycle and Methods of Family Planning

Demography

Demography is the scientific study of human populations that includes population size, composition, distribution, growth, age structure, migration, birth rates, death rates, fertility rates, and other factors that influence the structure and development of the human population. Demography helps policymakers to understand and predict population trends and how they impact public healthcare, social, and economic aspects.

Periodic fluctuation in demography is called the Demography Cycle. The demography cycle is used by the Government, policymakers, and researchers to plan the future. The demography cycle indicates various aspects of society such as healthcare, education, labor market, and social welfare system. There are five stages of the demography cycle.

• 1. Stage 1: High Birth Rate and high death rate. This results in slow population growth. It is associated with preindustrial societies, limited healthcare, and high infant mortality.

• 2. Stage 2: High birth rate and declining death rate. Improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and living conditions lead to a reduction in the death rate. The birth rate remains high. This results in rapid population growth. It is associated with the early stage of industrialization.

• 3. Stage 3: Declining birth rate and declining death rate. Access to education, family planning, and economic opportunities decline the birth rate. Death rate also decreases. This results in a moderate population growth rate.

• 4. Stage 4: Low birth rate and low death rate. It is associated with a highly developed society and post-industrial era. Population stabilizes or may decline.

• 5. Stage 5: Low births and increasing death. Aging in the population leads to a low birth rate and an increased death rate.

• Fertility Rate: The ability to conceive and give birth to offspring is called fertility rate. It is measured as The total Fertility Rate (TFR). TFR represents the average number of children belonging to a woman if she survives through her reproductive periods. A TFR of around 2.1 is considered as replacement rate. At TFR 2.1 each generation replaces itself. TFR below 2.1 leads to population decline. TFR above 2.1 leads to population increase.

Family Planning

Family planning is the conscious and deliberate decision by couples to control the pregnancy and spacing between their children.

Objectives of family planning:

• 1. Empower the couple to decide the number of children

• 2. Improve reproductive health

• 3. Reduce/prevent unintended pregnancies

• 4. Improve maternal health,

• 5. Improve child health,

• 6. Control Population Growth Rate, and

• 7. Improve the overall well-being of families and societies.

Contraceptive Methods

 Contraceptive methods are used to prevent unintended pregnancies by reducing the chances of conception during sexual activity. The followings are contraceptive methods can be divided into two groups: Temporary methods and Permanent methods

 A) TEMPORARY METHODS.

1. Barrier Method: It physically blocks sperm entry into the female reproductive organs during sexual intercourse. There are several types of barrier methods.

• a. Male Condom: It is a thin latex sheath worn over the penis to prevent the union of male sperm and female ova. It is also effective in preventing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• b. Female Condom: It is a pouch made of polyurethane. It is inserted into the vagina before intercourse. It lines the vaginal wall and acts as a barrier to prevent entry of sperm into female reproductive organs.

• c. Diaphragm: It is a shallow dome-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone. It is inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix. It is used with spermicide to increase its effectiveness.

• d. Cervical Cap: It is similar to a diaphragm. It is a small thimble-shaped device made of silicone.

• e. Spermicide: Spermicides kill or make sperms immobile. Spermicides are applied in the form of foams, gels, creams, or suppositories inside the vagina before intercourse.

Advantages of barrier methods

• · Easy to use

• · Readily available as an OTC product,

• · Do not affect women’s hormonal system,

Disadvantages of Barrier Methods

• · Less effective than hormonal methods

• · Require training for their correct usage

• · Reduces sexual pleasure

• · Chances of UTI

2. Hormonal Methods (Steroidal contraceptives): It uses synthetic hormones to prevent pregnancy. It changes the hormonal balance in females to prevent ovulation. The following are some common hormonal contraception methods

• a. Birth Control Pills (Oral contraceptives): It contains synthetic hormones estrogen and/or progestin. There are two types of birth control pills. These are combination pills and progestin-only pills. It is administered daily at the same time.

• b. Birth Control Patch: It is a small square adhesive patch to be applied on the skin. Hormones are absorbed from it slowly. A new patch is applied each week followed by patch free one week.

• c. Birth Control Shots: It is a progestin injection administered by the healthcare provider every three months. I

• d. Birth Control Implants: It is a small flexible rod containing progestin to be inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It releases progestin slowly. It is effective for three months.

• e. Birth control Intra Uterine Device (IUD): There are two types of IUD. These are hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs. They are inserted into the uterus by the professionals. IUDs remained effective for several years. Hormonal IUD releases progestin. Copper IUD is spermicide.

Advantages of Hormonal contraceptives

• · Highly effective if used regularly and correctly

• · Does not require daily attention during intercourse

• · Provides long-term protection

Disadvantages of Hormonal contraceptives

• · Do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• · Disturb hormonal balance and menstrual cycle pattern

• · Weight gain, mood swings, and breast tenderness.

3. Emergency contraceptive pills (Post coital pill): It is used within a few days after unprotected intercourse.

4. Fertility awareness: In between two maceration periods, there are only a few fertile days for pregnancy. Other days except these few days are safe days for intercourse. Barrier methods are used during fertile days to avoid pregnancy.

5. Withdrawal method (Pull out Method): The male withdraws the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation. It prevents sperm entry into the vagina.

6. Lactation Amenorrhoea Method: Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation and maceration. Thus breastfeeding provides protection against pregnancy.

PERMANENT METHODS (STERILISATION):

• It provides long-term protection from pregnancy. It is adopted by couples who do not want more children. It is an almost irreversible method that is very difficult to reverse. The temporary method is a reversible process. There are two types of permanent methods

• · Tubal Ligation (Female Sterilization): Eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus through a fallopian tube in females. This method blocks or seals the fallopian tube to prevent fertilization (union of egg and sperm).

• · Vasectomy (Male Sterilization): Vas deference carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra in the male. This method blocks or seals vas deference. Thus, during ejaculation no sperm present in semen.

Advantages of permanent methods: Highly effective, long-term reliable, convenient, no hormonal side effects, gender neutral, not affect sexual pleasure,

Disadvantages of permanent methods: Irreversible, suitable for a couple with no future plan for baby, surgical procedure, expensive, require back contraception till sterility is confirmed, no protection against STIs, and in some culture, it is not acceptable.

Alok Bains