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Reproductive pattern in a rural Mediterranean population: La Alpujarra, Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

F. Luna
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Biology I (Anthropology), Complutense University, Madrid
V. Fuster
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Biology I (Anthropology), Complutense University, Madrid

Summary

The reproductive pattern of a sample of nuclear families from La Alpujarra (Andalusia, Spain) is analysed. The origin of the wife or consanguinity of the couple does not influence fertility. Variability in number of pregnancies is most closely associated with marriage duration followed by the wife's year of birth. Differences in the number of births are explained more by the number of pregnancies than by the number of miscarriages. The number of survivors to the first birthday is dependent on the number of births and to a lower extent on infant mortality. Data from incomplete families show that reproductive performance of the wife below the age of 45 cannot be accepted as a reliable estimate of complete reproduction.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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