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The number of live births in Germany has decreased by 46.7 % from 1 261 614 in 1960 to 672 675 in 2006. The causes for this are manifold. This study attempts to address the possible causes for the delay of birth in Germany in an east-west comparison.Within the "Kinderwunschstudie" (survey of desired/intended fertility) 5 143 women in childbed have been interviewed between 1998 and 2000. They were asked questions concerning the delay of this particular birth. Only women and their spouses who were born in Germany, respectively, were included into the analysis. Berlin women in childbed were excluded from the analysis due to the problematic east-west classification. The number of analysable cases finally added up to 2 020 cases in East Germany and 2 193 cases in West Germany.24.4 % of the interviewed women in the East admitted a delay of the last birth compared to 21.2 % of those in the West. There are clear differences concerning the reasons for this delay between the old (west) and the new (east) federal states. 34 % of the east German women agreed that an insecure income situation was the reason for the delayed realisation of the desired pregnancy / birth, whereas it was only 16 % in the west.This survey ("Kinderwunschstudie") in fact indicates differences regarding the reasons for a delay of birth between east and west German women (in childbed). However, it also highlights the generally negative influence of the given social and economic conditions on the number of births and underlines the prospects for an ongoing decrease. As a result, society will in future have to face problems of unknown dimensions.

"With the sample of a village of 670 inhabitants (1810), it is investigated whether the religious denomination, Catholic or Calvinist, has any influence on the demographic behaviour of a rural population. A well developed knowledge of denominational consciousness was observed; there were few interfaith marriages or conversions and the differences in the naming of children were distinctive. There were not such big differences in the demographic behaviour. As examples, the age at marriage, premarital sexuality (over 20% of births were premarital conceptions) and the number of births were nearly equal. In life expectancy there was a seven year denominational difference. All women were noticeable by their low number of births, high age at marriage and high age at last birth. Family limitation was achieved through birth spacing, particularly by Protestant women after the third child onwards. In sum, a large degree of this rural population's demographic behaviour was observable, but only a few were influenced by denominational or religious norms." (EXCERPT)

Data obtained from 10,108 newborns of parents of gypsy native language delivered during 1973-1983 were compared to national population's data of 1978. When comparing the data of gypsy group which is living under very disadvantageous social, cultural and health conditions to the appropriate national data the following differences have been found. The physical development of gypsy infants included in this study is much more worse than that of the national average. For the poorer physical development of gypsy children the disadvantageous social and hygienic conditions together with low educational attainment is responsible rather than the different genetic background. This conclusion is proved by findings of the study that the trend of national data according to the educational attainment is very similar to that of the appropriate data of gypsy group.

The rate of IUD complications has been reduced by the development of IUDs made out of copper and by the improvement of their shape. The number of women using IUDs has increased steadily over the last 10 years. The negative aspects are circulatory problems, discharges, undesired pregnancies, and infection of the genitalia. The improved copper IUD can remain effective for up to 7 years. There has been no correlation shown between the use of the IUD and cancer of the endometrium or cervix. For IUD users who have not been pregnant, the cause of infection can often be found in other risk factors such as frequency of intercourse and the number of sexual partners. If the following steps are taken, the IUD can be as reliable and acceptable as hormonal contraceptives: 1) careful selection of the right women for insertion of the IUD; 2) detailed explanation of this method of contraception; 3) correct insertion of the IUD by a physician under sterile conditions; and 4) regular examination of the IUD user. The method is especially suitable for women who have completed their family planning as well as for older women for whom the risks of hormonal contraceptives are increased. It is also suitable for "family spacing."

"The purpose of this article is to provide an explanation of the recent decline of fertility in Switzerland with a saturation model. This process, which can be observed in the majority of highly developed countries since about 1965, is part of a long-term process of limitation of births." Factors considered in the model include the segregation between the work place and household, the development of social security systems, excessive consumption, and changing values. The model attempts to show that individuals are experiencing increasing structural and cultural tensions due to an increase in the impact of such factors that lead them to react in a variety of ways, some of which can affect the number and timing of births. The author suggests that both the fertility level and fertility decline have different determinants and concludes that fears of the "dying out" of the Swiss population are premature. (SUMMARY IN ENG AND FRE)

Social hygiene research on human reproduction extends both to the social (demographic) as well as to the individual aspects (successful family planning) of the reproductive process. The main points in both central aspects, which coordinate the gynecological aspects of reproductive behavior in this research, are outlined. One central concern of the policy aspects of social hygiene administration in the German Democratic Republic is the question of reproduction. The demographic effects of activities oriented toward the social aspects of reproduction should be clarified. This leads to the question of how reproductive behavior can be influenced by social hygiene policy. These considerations lead one to ask about the effectiveness of contraception, the efficiency and purposes of family planning, and an analysis of parents as a couple, rather than viewing the woman alone. Social hygiene research must orient itself toward solving problems relevant to health and social welfare. It must completely exhaust the theoretical and methodological potential of Marxist-Leninist social sciences. It must also be closely adapted to practical cooperation with clinical disciplines and health institution facilities.

615 neurotic patients from two outpatient Clinics were divided into three groups: only children, siblings with minimal age difference group, siblings not of minimal age difference group. The following hypothesis were to be examined: The younger of two siblings with minimal age difference are at greater risk to develop schizoid disorders. The hypothesis was proved correct. Amongst our patients the younger of two siblings of minimal age difference were at a particularly high risk in becoming schizoid. In addition we found the following risiko configuration in the early developmental period. Frequently these patients originated from families with many children, the age difference to the next sibling is also minimal, the mother is frequently lost before the age of three and the father is often self employed. These results confirm the so called "hypothesis of neglect" as it is observed in the development of schizoid disorders. A reexamination of the result of this research is to be desired.

"Three tables for measuring human fertility are presented. The first, the Parity-Fertility-Life-Table, includes the intensity of fertility only. The second table, the Marriage-Duration-Fertility-Life-Table, bases on the Parity-Fertility-Life-Table and measures the tempo of fertility altogether. The third table, the Birth-Interval-Fertility-Life-Table, completes the Marriage-Duration-Fertility-Life-Table in considering the point of time, at which the last parity is reached." The methods are illustrated using official data for the Federal Republic of Germany. (SUMMARY IN ENG)

The author examines fertility trends in the German Democratic Republic over the course of the 1970s. Some comparisons are made with fertility in the Federal Republic of Germany. Trends in abortion are also considered.