TOCIAL SCI CE AP"CTS OF PIILITY & PAMILY PLANNING

POPULATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

Technical Assistance Bureau Agency for International
Development

A.I.D.'s Population Research Program

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Seeking new knowledge and methods for use of population programs in less developed countries, A.I.D. has provided ongoing support for a broad range of population research activities.

In fiscal 1971, funding for research activities increased to about
$12 million from $10.7 million in fiscal 1970. In addition, funding
for other population projects with research components totaled about
$6 million in fiscal 1971 compared to $4.9 million in fiscal 1970.
(See Table 1)

As

A.I.D. emphasizes applied or goal-directed research designed specifically
to contribute to the success of A.I.D.-assisted population programs.
much as possible, this work is carried on within the less developed
Countries.

Research Needs and Activities

.I.D.'s population research program is divided into four areas of research ctivity--descriptive demography, analysis of population dynamics, family lanning program operations research, and development of improved means fertility control.

escriptive demography - This field poses a challenging research problem-e development of better methods to obtain and analyze representative mographic information in the numerous countries which do not have fullale censuses and complete vital registration systems.

ong projects in this area, A.I.D. is providing funds to the University of
th Carolina, for a technical assistance project, which is helping to
ablish population laboratories at universities and research institutions
several countries. These laboratories are intended to improve the
iability and predictive value of data for population and family planning
grams. The project includes surveys, development of experimental
a-collection systems, and research on the effectiveness and validity
data-collection techniques. Laboratories have now been established in
occo, Columbia, and the Philippines.

her demographic project funded in fiscal 1971 provided $222,000 to the
Tenure Center, University of Wisconsin, to conduct a follow up
graphic study in Colombia. The investigators will return to four
mbia communities which were studies in 1962 in order to determine the
ee and impact of migration on development. Such studies will shed
t on the role that government influence could have on migration to
n centers.

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A.I.D. missions in many countries are also supporting research to collect demographic data, develop new methods of analysis, and improve the accuracy of descriptive and predictive demographic information. Considerable support has been provided to demographic institutions, particularly in Latin America.

To meet the need for improved demographic data and methods, A.I.D. has provided about $8 million for technical assistance and research projects between fiscal 1965 and fiscal 1971.

Population dynamics research

Population dynamics research involves study of the factors affecting population growth and distribution within a given society and the effects of population characteristics and changes on the society. Much more knowledge of these is needed as an aid to less developed countries in discovering best means for coping with population problems.

In a study to be carried out in conjunction with field trials of new means of fertility control, the Transnational Family Research Institute of the American Institutes for Research will conduct "anticipatory" research on the psychosocial factors relating the effects of introducing new fertility control technologies. With an $842,000 award, an International Reference Center will be established. These studies are designed to help speed understanding and acceptance of innovations in fertility control technology.

Other projects include an epidemiological study being carried out by Johns Hopkins University in Taiwan seeking information on pregnancy loss and how this relates to health, fertility levels, and other factors.

Through A.I.D.'s program, behavioral and social science technical assistance and research projects have received about $8.5 million between fiscal 1965 and fiscal 1971.

Operational research - Research is needed to determine the optimal organization and administration of family planning action programs in the less developed countries. This includes research on the best methods of education and recruitment of acceptors, development of optimal staffing patterns, improved training methods for program workers, and evaluation of the impact of the program.

An operational research project has been recently initiated with a grant of $270,000 to the American University of Cairo. This project will study population and family planning in the Middle East. Goals are to acquire accurate data on the factors influencing population growth and control, to delineate the basic changes in patterns of family and community life which may facilitate acceptance of family planning practices, and to provide essential information to make the policy and administrative decision needed for successful implementation of national family planning programs.