Comparing two survey methods for estimating maternal and perinatal mortality in rural Cambodia

PURPOSE: We need solid estimates of maternal mortality rates (MMR) to monitor the impact of maternal care programs. Cambodian health authorities and WHO report the MMR in Cambodia at 450 per 100,000 live births. The figure is drawn from surveys where information is obtained by interviewing respondents about the survival of all their adult sisters (sisterhood method). The estimate is statistically imprecise, 95% confidence intervals ranging from 260 to 620/100,000. The MMR estimate is also uncertain due to under-reporting; where 80-90% of women deliver at home maternal fatalities may go undetected especially where mortality is highest, in remote rural areas. The aim of this study was to attain more reliable MMR estimates by using survey methods other than the sisterhood method prior to an intervention targeting obstetric rural emergencies. PROCEDURES: The study was carried out in rural Northwestern Cambodia where access to health services is poor and poverty, endemic diseases, and land mines are endemic. Two survey methods were applied in two separate sectors: a community-based survey gathering data from public sources and a household survey gathering data direct from primary sources. FINDINGS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two survey results for maternal deaths, both types of survey reported mortality rates around the public figure. The household survey reported a significantly higher perinatal mortality rate as compared to the community-based survey, 8.6% versus 5.0%. Also the household survey gave qualitative data important for a better understanding of the many problems faced by mothers giving birth in the remote villages. There are detection failures in both surveys; the failure rate may be as high as 30-40%. PRINCIPLE CONCLUSION: Both survey methods are inaccurate, therefore inappropriate for evaluation of short-term changes of mortality rates. Surveys based on primary informants yield qualitative information about mothers' hardships important for the design of future maternal care interventions.     

How Rules Matter: Electoral Reform in Taiwan*

Objectives. This article is a test of general electoral theory in the case of Taiwan's 2008, postreform legislative election. In light of Taiwan's electoral reform, I test several hypotheses related to choice in electoral design and winning conditions, effective number of parties, proportionality, and regionalism. Methods. I run a simulation of the new rules and districting using the previous (2004) election results and compare this to the actual results. By comparing simulated and actual outcomes, I can compare theoretically‐driven, a priori expectations with election outcomes. Results. Primary findings are that a dominant seat share for the Nationalist Party, decline in third‐party representation, and disproportionality were largely predicated on the transition to a majoritarian system. Conclusion. General electoral theory holds robust predictive power in the case of Taiwan.     

Marital Aspirations,Sexual Behaviors,and HIV/AIDS in Rural Malawi

We explore how marital aspirations are related to the sexual behaviors of adolescents and young adults in Malawi, where HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults exceeds 10%. We also consider whether the specter of AIDS is shaping ideals about marriage. By combining survey data (N = 1,087) and in‐depth interviews (N = 133) with young Malawians from the Malawi Diffusion and Ideational Change Project, we show that looking for and finding a suitable spouse are linked to sexual behaviors and, thus, HIV risks. Moreover, concerns about contracting HIV are closely tied to the ideal characteristics of a future spouse. Our findings draw long‐overdue attention to the importance of marital aspirations in understanding adolescent sexual behaviors and risks in the era of AIDS.     

Small firms and the information problem

Information is essential for decision-making and strategy by small and medium-sized enterprises. Hans Pleitner explores the content of information used by SMEs based on internal and external information and finds much deficiency. SMEs also have problems with the technicalities of handling information, although there has been a big take-up of personal computers. A lot depends on businessmen's attitudes, and these vary greatly. Dr Pleitner recommends that external institutions should try harder to encourage businessmen in the greater use of information and its technology.     

Scenarios in Europe—Who uses them and why?

The authors of this article describe a study of European companies the aim of which was to review the extent of multiple scenario analysis in company planning. They describe the differences in planning between users and non-users of the system, and analyse the benefits and drawbacks of using the system.     

Consumer Selection of Food-Safety Information Sources

The aim of this study is to examine the preferences of consumers for different information sources when they have a question about food safety. On the basis of a nationally representative survey conducted in the Netherlands, five distinct consumer groups are identified that not only differ on the reported use of information sources but also regarding several personality characteristics and sociodemographic variables. The empirical results show that two-thirds of the consumers are selective in their use of information sources and prefer either institutional or social sources. So, multiple information-acquisition patterns exist among the general public. The study illustrates how these findings can help to develop effective risk communication strategies.     

具体人性——人权与宽容的新维度

简要列出宽容概念的种类,并概述人权与实际(或具体)人性之间的关联以及实质性的相互关系,基于针对人权的进一步区别、历史修正以及人权阐释的发展的评论,勾勒出人权从保护性人权向供人分享和有积极创造性的人权的发展历程,并提出与标准的法定人权相比,供人分享和有积极创造性的人权是对伦理上的真正尊严的主张,是一种道德人的准权利。因此,用“具体人性”和对具体人性的实际描述真正代替仅仅沉湎于人性和人道的相当抽象的观念,这在所有的人权教育中都是最重要的。     

论1807年的现象学的逻辑

在研究黑格尔《精神现象学》的内容时,应该同时研究其体系学的形式。1807年的现象学是建立在诸逻辑基本环节的某种序列的基础上的,而这种序列与黑格尔当时的逻辑学构想是相一致的,并且在现象学内具有一种统一的功能。要弄清这些基本规定之进程,有着诸多困难。在现象学的布局中的修改并没有走到损害现象学之逻辑根基的地步。本文第一章表明,从一开始,黑格尔就提出了这一要求:在非实在的意识的方式与逻辑的环节之间要有一种严格的对应。第二章讨论这些逻辑的环节作为什么进入意识的经验当中,以及它们如何组织意识的经验。第三章具体说明这些逻辑的基本环节的序列及其同意识的诸阶段的对应。文章最后还把一种有关现象学的方法和有关耶拿逻辑学的发展的见解,提出来进行了讨论。     

Pitfalls in multi-national long-range planning

The authors of this article argue that too many companies are not getting the benefits which should be produced by their long-range planning systems. Of the many possible explanations for this, the authors concentrate on the major pitfalls which should be avoided in order to ensure good results. The article is based upon the results of a survey of planning pitfalls among corporations in six industrialized countries.