The Mysore study
Chandrasekaran, C.
Population Bulletin of the United Nations 1986(19-20): 6-13
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0251-7604 PMID: 12314728 Document Number: 348197
A sample survey proposed by the Population Commission at its 4th session, and undertaken in cooperation with the Government of India is described. The Mysore India survey attempted to demonstrate that a household sample survey could be used to measure demographic characteristics and link them with the process of economic and social change. Study topics were selected with a view to providing demographic planning and policy-making information. The study sought projection of future population growth and determination of economic and social provisions needed to accomodate growth, relating demographic to social and economic differentials. A closely related objective was improvement of accuracy of demographic data using household sample surveys. Of particular interest was the use of a fertiility schedule which provided, inter alia, a complete fertility history of each woman interviewed, her attitudes towards having additional children, knowledge and practive of family planning (FP) and views on fertility-related social and cultural matters. The findings of the survey made it possible to evaluate the completeness of the reporting of births and deaths, the number of children born, the accuracy of age-reporting and of data on economic activity and population size. Substantive study findings included a high rate of natural increase, age patterns at marriage, remarriage prevalence among widows and the social and economic factors associated with the number of children born. Singnificant differences between younger and older resondents with regard to the ideal marriage age were found. The study promoted awareness of population problems, contributed to population policy formulation in India, and encouraged the conducting of population and FP field surveys in many other developing countries. The fertility and FP portions served especially as a model for surveys in other developing countries and the fertility schedule served as one the precursors of the World Fertility Survey schedules.