[Desire for children and family planning in Algeria (Approach to reproduction in Arab countries) (author's transl)]. / Kinderwunsch und Familienplanung in Algerien. Ein Beitrag zum Reproduktionsverhalten in arabischen Ländern.

ABSTRACT

Arab patients in the Gynaecological Hospital of the University of Oran, Algeria, were observed. Aspects relating to desire for children, family planning, and parity are discussed in conjunction with the outcome of the latest Algerian census. Three of four children in one family are considered an optimum solution. Early marriage and early gravidity still are widespread. Family planning continues to play a minor role, and only 25.3 per cent of all patients reviewed took to oral contraceptives for shorter or longer periods of time. - The percentages of primiparae and secundiparae in all births as well as the high percentage of multigravidity are parameters by which the approach to reproduction differs substantively from behaviour patterns in Europe. Traditional thinking of couples and resulting behaviours as well as religious and social motivations and insufficient use of family planning facilities are the major reasons.