These four papers supplement the book Contraception and Reproduction: Health Consequences for Women and Children in the Developing World by bringing together data and analyses that would otherwise be difficult to obtain in a single source. The topics addressed are an analysis of the relationship between maternal mortality and changing reproductive patterns; the risks and benefits of contraception; the effects of changing reproductive patterns on infant health; and the psychosocial consequences to women of controlled fertility and contraceptive use.

Contents

• Working Group on the Health Consequences of Contraceptive Use and Controlled Fertility
• Committee on Population
• Preface
• The Relationship Between Fertility and Maternal Mortality
  • Definitions and Measurement Issues
  • World Patterns
  • Aspects of Fertility as Risk Factors for Maternal Morality
  • Other Important Risk Factors
  • Causal Patterns of Mortality
  • Aspects of Fertility and the Major Causes of Death
  • Conclusion
  • Appendix—Contents of Causal Categories
  • References
• Health Effects of Contraception
  • Introduction
  • Oral Contraceptives
  • Intrauterine Devices
  • Barrier Methods
  • Long-Acting Methods
  • Tubal Sterilization
  • Vasectomy
  • References
• Mechanisms for the Association of Maternal Age, Parity, and Birth Spacing with Infant Health
  • Introduction
  • Young Maternal Age and Primiparity
  • Older Maternal Age and Grand Multiparity
  • Effects of Short Intervals Between Pregnancies
  • References
• Psychosocial Consequences to Women of Contraceptive Use and Controlled Fertility
  • Concepts of Health and Well-Being: Indicators of Psychosocial Stress
  • Psychosocial Stress and Role Performance
  • Contraceptive and Reproductive Patterns as Potential Stressors
  • Conclusions
  • References
• Appendix Background Papers

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

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