article

High fertility in a Peruvian Amazon Indian village

Human ecology • 5 (4) • Published In 1977 • Pages: 355-368

By: Hern, Warren M..

Abstract

The relation between fertility and cultural change in the village of Paococha in the Ucayali River area of Peru was studied initially in 1964 and in more detail in 1969. The 1969 study included observations concerning social, economic, environmental, cultural, and health changes. Population growth in the village is nearly 5% per year, and fertility appears to exceed that previously recorded for other groups. The factors that may be contributing to the high fertility are explored in this work. They are thought to include early and prolonged parity, nearly universal marriage and fertility, high reproductive efficiency, short birth intervals, Western health intervention lowering both infant and maternal mortality rates, and a decline in the prevalence of polygyny (p. 355).

HRAF PubDate

2002

Region

South America

Sub Region

Amazon and Orinoco

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Physician

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 2001

Field Date

1964, 1969

Coverage Date

1964, 1969

Coverage Place

village of Paococha, Ucayali River area, Peru

Notes

Warren M. Hern

Includes bibliographical references (p. 367-368)

LCCN

72623826

LCSH

Shipibo-Conibo Indians