- Professor Mehtab Karim is a Sociologist/Demographer (MA University of Chicago, Ph.D. Cornell University) with a subst... moreProfessor Mehtab Karim is a Sociologist/Demographer (MA University of Chicago, Ph.D. Cornell University) with a substantial interest in comparative demographic & development studies in South Asia and the Middle East. At present, he is a Distinguished Senior Fellow in the School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Arlington VA, USAedit
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Population based data on disease patterns, health services utilization and cost incurred on treatment in Pakistan were collected through a nation-wide sample survey in 1982-83. The survey for the first time revealed, the burden of disease... more
Population based data on disease patterns, health services utilization and cost incurred on treatment in Pakistan were collected through a nation-wide sample survey in 1982-83. The survey for the first time revealed, the burden of disease on the society. The analysis done here suggest, that about one-sixth of the population suffered from an illness during the past one month period. As expected, illness was more prevalent among children, women in reproductive ages and the elderly. Over two-thirds of those who fell ill, suffered from malaria and fever and one-fifth from diarrhoea and dysenteries. There was heavy reliance on private physicians for treatment of those who fell, about two- thirds in the urban and one-third in the rural areas, consulted private physicians. On the other hand, in both the areas, less than one-sixth utilized the government health facilities. The cost of health care on an average, was 4% of the total income in the urban and 5% in the rural areas. In both the areas, this constituted over 7% of the monthly household income of the poorest. Suggestions are made to overcome the high cost of health care through broad based national health policy and implementation of primary health care programme.
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ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of some important demographic changes in two major South Asian countries, India and Pakistan, resulting in a situation marked by sustained fertility decline, life prolongation and a growth of... more
ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of some important demographic changes in two major South Asian countries, India and Pakistan, resulting in a situation marked by sustained fertility decline, life prolongation and a growth of population in both the young (especially 25 years and over) and old (60 years and over) age groups. The study postulates that these changes may prove significant for both the countries - affecting, inter alia, the size and clearance mechanism of their labour markets, nature of dependencies, increasing ratios of young to old, etc. The study further postulates that a fair proportion of families in the two countries may find it difficult to endure old-age dependencies owing to increasingly widespread casualization of employment and jobless growth. Enduring old-age dependencies may also be difficult due to limited work opportunities for older persons, functional disabilities, perpetuating poverty, lack of social assistance, compression in real public health expenditure, etc. The study also postulates that the pro-market changes in these countries may not particularly conform to their age structure changes. It may as well create a situation fraught with a significant economic-demographic mismatch.
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Research Interests: Sociology, Demography, Economics, Pakistan, Fertility, and 15 moreDeveloping Countries, Population Dynamics, Research, Medicine, Social Class, Applied Economics, Population, Asia, Data Collection, Birth Rate, Nuclear Family, Pakistan Development, Residence, Population Characteristics, and Socioeconomic Factors
Karachi is the only mega city in the world with persistent poliovirus transmission. We determined routine childhood immunization rates in Karachi and identified predictors of vaccine completion. A population-based cross-sectional survey... more
Karachi is the only mega city in the world with persistent poliovirus transmission. We determined routine childhood immunization rates in Karachi and identified predictors of vaccine completion. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi between August and September 2008. Data on demographics, socioeconomic, and DTP3 vaccination status in children 12 to 23 months old were collected. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of vaccination completion. Overall, 1401 participants were approached; 1391 consented to participate. Of these, 1038 (75%) were completely vaccinated. Punjabi families had the highest DTP3 coverage (82%), followed by Urdu-speaking families (79%). Pashtun (67%) and Bengali (48%) families had the lowest vaccine coverage. Children of mothers with ≥12 years of schooling (OR = 25.4; 95% CI = 5.7-113.1) were most likely to be vaccinated. A quarter of study participants were unvaccinated. Targeted strategies for boosting DTP3 rates in communities with low immunization coverage are essential for polio eradication in Karachi.
Research Interests: Pakistan, Medicine, Humans, Female, Male, and 13 moreInfant, Immunization, Ethnic Groups, Poliomyelitis, Public health systems and services research, Ethnic Group, Cross Sectional Studies, Poliovirus, Socioeconomic Factors, Health Care Surveys, Routine Immunization, healthcare disparities, and Immunization Schedule
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Contents: I. Muslim populations, Islamic Teachings, and Reproductive Health Islam, Population Policy and Fertility: What are the Issues? (Gavin Jones and Mehtab Karim) - Socio-Economic and Demographic Setting of Muslim Countries (Mohammad... more
Contents: I. Muslim populations, Islamic Teachings, and Reproductive Health Islam, Population Policy and Fertility: What are the Issues? (Gavin Jones and Mehtab Karim) - Socio-Economic and Demographic Setting of Muslim Countries (Mohammad Jalal Abbasi and Gavin Jones) - Islamic Teachings on Marriage, Lactation, Contraception and Abortion (Mehtab Karim) - Reproductive Health Trends in Islamic Countries (Terence H. Hull) II. Islam, the State, and Population and Reproductive Health Policies Muslim Society and Population Policy in Indonesia (Akhmad Rifa'i and Agus Dwiyanto) - State, Islam and the Formation of Reproductive Health Policies in Turkey (Ferruh Solak and Attila Hancioglu) - Ideological Basis of Fertility Changes in Post-Revolutionary Iran: Shiite Teachings vs. Pragmatic Considerations (Amir H. Mehryar) - Islamic Teachers and Reproductive Health Issues in Madura (Abdul Halim Subahar and Faturochman) III. Fertility Transitions Population Policy, Cultural Dynamics, Development and Fertility Decline in Egypt (Hoda Rashad and Eltigani E. Eltigani) - The Rise and Fall of Fertility in Post-Revolutionary Iran (Mohammad Jalal Abbasi) - Fertility Decline in Bangladesh: Role of Family Planning Program and Socio-economic Changes (Barkat-e-Khuda) - Fertility Trends and Their Determinants in Pakistan (Abdul Hakim).
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Contents: I. Muslim populations, Islamic Teachings, and Reproductive Health Islam, Population Policy and Fertility: What are the Issues? (Gavin Jones and Mehtab Karim) - Socio-Economic and Demographic Setting of Muslim Countries (Mohammad... more
Contents: I. Muslim populations, Islamic Teachings, and Reproductive Health Islam, Population Policy and Fertility: What are the Issues? (Gavin Jones and Mehtab Karim) - Socio-Economic and Demographic Setting of Muslim Countries (Mohammad Jalal Abbasi and Gavin Jones) - Islamic Teachings on Marriage, Lactation, Contraception and Abortion (Mehtab Karim) - Reproductive Health Trends in Islamic Countries (Terence H. Hull) II. Islam, the State, and Population and Reproductive Health Policies Muslim Society and Population Policy in Indonesia (Akhmad Rifa'i and Agus Dwiyanto) - State, Islam and the Formation of Reproductive Health Policies in Turkey (Ferruh Solak and Attila Hancioglu) - Ideological Basis of Fertility Changes in Post-Revolutionary Iran: Shiite Teachings vs. Pragmatic Considerations (Amir H. Mehryar) - Islamic Teachers and Reproductive Health Issues in Madura (Abdul Halim Subahar and Faturochman) III. Fertility Transitions Population Policy, Cultural Dynamics, Development and Fertility Decline in Egypt (Hoda Rashad and Eltigani E. Eltigani) - The Rise and Fall of Fertility in Post-Revolutionary Iran (Mohammad Jalal Abbasi) - Fertility Decline in Bangladesh: Role of Family Planning Program and Socio-economic Changes (Barkat-e-Khuda) - Fertility Trends and Their Determinants in Pakistan (Abdul Hakim).
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This is a collection of nine articles by various authors some of which have been published elsewhere on aspects of internal migration in Pakistan. Topics covered include rural-urban migration age selectivity in migration migration and... more
This is a collection of nine articles by various authors some of which have been published elsewhere on aspects of internal migration in Pakistan. Topics covered include rural-urban migration age selectivity in migration migration and employment circular migration and residential mobility. (ANNOTATION)
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Community health programs in many developing countries are very similar: most involve semi-trained, semi-educated health workers (often female), who provide health services in their own communities in a large hierarchically managed system... more
Community health programs in many developing countries are very similar: most involve semi-trained, semi-educated health workers (often female), who provide health services in their own communities in a large hierarchically managed system across the country. In Pakistan, recent evaluations of the government's flagship community health program have revealed the need for improvement in health workers' knowledge. It is our conjecture that telephone-based adaptive speech interfaces, tailored to the specific information needs of health workers, are a viable alternative to current information access mechanisms such as handbooks and manuals. We will be designing, developing and testing such an interface ("HealthLine") in the coming year in Pakistan. Interviews with health workers indicate that speech interfaces may potentially be much more useful for health workers than traditional media.
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In Pakistan as well as in many other countries in Asia, there is a strong son preference. Using data from the 1998 population census and sample surveys conducted during the past decade, this paper examines: evidence of sex preference in... more
In Pakistan as well as in many other countries in Asia, there is a strong son preference. Using data from the 1998 population census and sample surveys conducted during the past decade, this paper examines: evidence of sex preference in Pakistan; sex ratios at birth; sex ratios among children under five; sex differentials in mortality in infancy and early childhood; and, whether preferential treatment is given to male (over female) children.Since Pakistan has not reached yet a stage of low fertility, sex-selective abortion to the purpose of having a son is rarely practised. Instead, couples who desire to have male children do so by having successive female children until they achieve their goal. Consequently, the sex ratio at birth in Pakistan is currently consistent with the accepted biological norm. Thus, it appears that although there is a strong desire for sons, daughters are not unwanted or grossly neglected after birth. However, a more rapid decline in infant mortality is observed among males than among females.Au Pakistan comme dans de nombreux autres pays en Asie, il existe traditionnellement une forte préférence pour les fils. En utilisant les données du recensement de 1998 et d’enquêtes conduites au cours des dix dernières années, l’auteur étudie les tendances récentes du rapport de masculinité à la naissance et chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans, de même que les différentiels de mortalité infantile et juvénile selon le sexe. Il examine également la possibilité de traitements préférentiels selon le sexe, pouvant favoriser les garçons.Etant donné que la fécondité est encore élevée au Pakistan, les avortements sélectifs selon le sexe sont encore très peu pratiqués. Les couples ne renoncent pas pour autant à un fils, mais acceptent de faire plusieurs tentatives, c’est à dire d’avoir plusieurs filles, avant d’y parvenir. Par conséquent, le rapport de masculinité à la naissance au Pakistan est conforme à la norme biologique. L’auteur démontre également que, en dépit d’une forte préférence pour les fils, les naissances de filles ne sont pas malvenues, et que les filles ne sont pas particulièrement discriminées après leur naissance. Il constate cependant que, ces dernières années, la mortalité infantile des garçons a diminué plus vite que celle des filles
Research Interests: Sociology, Psychology, Demography, Genre, Discrimination, and 11 moreGender, Fertility, Soc, Child, Sex ratio, Enfant, Femme, Family Structure, Asie, Patriarcat, and Patriarchal System
The impact of population growth is felt on every wake of life. Themovement of population from one country to another or within a countryhas its own consequences. Goldstone et al (2012) have thus argued, thatthe world’s population is... more
The impact of population growth is felt on every wake of life. Themovement of population from one country to another or within a countryhas its own consequences. Goldstone et al (2012) have thus argued, thatthe world’s population is changing in ways that are historicallyunprecedented, having its own political consequences such as, theperformance of the government due to increasing demand for services andthe distribution of political power at intra-state level. Thus, internalmigration, which is from high fertility rural zones to urban centers -indeveloping countries like Pakistan- in search of livelihood andemployment, results in concentration of population in slums and squattersettlements on the one hand and a youth bulge in urban areas, furthercontributing to this phenomenon and unprecedented urbanization. State’sinability to address this demographic change effectively results in strainsresources and poor governance. In turn, it creates xenophobia, wherenative populations blame the...
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Kingsley Davis (1961) had argued that the reason that the ancient cities failed to survive was that they were too deadly. He suggested that “three of their (cities) main traits....the crowding of many people in little space, their... more
Kingsley Davis (1961) had argued that the reason that the ancient cities failed to survive was that they were too deadly. He suggested that “three of their (cities) main traits....the crowding of many people in little space, their dependence on widespread contacts (due to in-migration), and their wealth...laid them open to contagious diseases, environmental contamination, occasional starvation and warfare”. Even in the medieval age, some European cities provide examples of such problems; but especially so following the Industrial Revolution. Do the events of the 1980s and the 1990s in Karachi suggest that the city may be heading in the same direction. Recently, The Times London in a lead article in November 1994, labelled Karachi as a “City of Riches and Shattered Dreams”. It further said that Karachi had grown into a megalopolis where life moved fast and street violence had become a norm. Indeed, more than 65 percent of Pakistan’s industries and 80 percent of its finance, banking, ...
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Page 1. Paper presented at the 3rd Conference Proceedings of Population and Sustainable Development in Pakistan organized by Population Association of Pakistan during December 19 - 21, 2002 in Lahore. Conference Paper No.53 DISTRICTS... more
Page 1. Paper presented at the 3rd Conference Proceedings of Population and Sustainable Development in Pakistan organized by Population Association of Pakistan during December 19 - 21, 2002 in Lahore. Conference Paper No.53 DISTRICTS LEVEL OF ...
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As societies transform from a predominantly traditional to a predominantly modem system they tend to experience considerable demographic changes. Ansley Coale (1984) notes that this "transformation is the substitution of slow growth... more
As societies transform from a predominantly traditional to a predominantly modem system they tend to experience considerable demographic changes. Ansley Coale (1984) notes that this "transformation is the substitution of slow growth achieved with low fertility and mortality for slow growth maintained with relatively high fertility and mortality rates." Islam is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions. It’s followers are spread all over the World, numbering about 1.5 billion people, constitute about one-fourth of the world’s population (The Economist, 2003). Muslims, are mainly concentrated in about 50 countries, most of whom have had slow pace of fertility transition, mainly due to low level of socioeconomic development on the one hand and lack of effective population policy on the other. With the help of macro level data available on Muslim-majority countries, this paper examines, fertility decline in these countries, their socioeconomic indicators and support for...
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The authors "focus primarily on voluntary, peacetime migration [in Pakistan], both internal and international, and attempt to analyze some of its possible socioeconomic consequences." The importance of the role of migration in... more
The authors "focus primarily on voluntary, peacetime migration [in Pakistan], both internal and international, and attempt to analyze some of its possible socioeconomic consequences." The importance of the role of migration in urban population growth is discussed, with attention to implications for social and economic development. The impact of large-scale emigration of workers to the Middle East is also assessed. The analysis is based on data from the 1951, 1961, 1972, and 1981 censuses as well as from secondary sources.
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The authors consider the overall information requirements for a district health system. After reviewing the context of information support to operational management for primary health care (PHC) district health systems based upon PHC are... more
The authors consider the overall information requirements for a district health system. After reviewing the context of information support to operational management for primary health care (PHC) district health systems based upon PHC are defined with their principal features described. District management information systems typically have important information missing available data of inappropriate quantity and quality health staff with only limited skills in processing and using information and available information insufficiently used for local decision-making. District decision-making and information use are described in terms of resource allocation and use; use of services coverage and quality; policy and strategy; and assessment of health needs and program effects and impact. Increasing the scope of available information clarifying district needs resources objectives targets and indicators; streamlining procedures for data management; improving the skills of district staff in managing and using information; and broadening the use of information especially within districts and communities can improve district management information support. Closing sections consider the role and potential of microcomputer support for district health systems and policy implications at national and international levels.
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Karachi is the only mega city in the world with persistent poliovirus transmission. We determined routine childhood immunization rates in Karachi and identified predictors of vaccine completion. A population-based cross-sectional survey... more
Karachi is the only mega city in the world with persistent poliovirus transmission. We determined routine childhood immunization rates in Karachi and identified predictors of vaccine completion. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi between August and September 2008. Data on demographics, socioeconomic, and DTP3 vaccination status in children 12 to 23 months old were collected. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of vaccination completion. Overall, 1401 participants were approached; 1391 consented to participate. Of these, 1038 (75%) were completely vaccinated. Punjabi families had the highest DTP3 coverage (82%), followed by Urdu-speaking families (79%). Pashtun (67%) and Bengali (48%) families had the lowest vaccine coverage. Children of mothers with ≥ 12 years of schooling (OR = 25.4; 95% CI = 5.7-113.1) were most likely to be vaccinated. A quarter of study participants were unvaccinated. Targeted strategies for boosting DTP3 rates in communities with low immunization coverage are essential for polio eradication in Karachi.
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... Bhutta and Tahir (1990) reported several infant deaths following loperamide, which is an antimotility agent. The WHO restricts the prescribing of antimotility drugs along with antiemetics, antispasmodics and absorbants in diarrhea... more
... Bhutta and Tahir (1990) reported several infant deaths following loperamide, which is an antimotility agent. The WHO restricts the prescribing of antimotility drugs along with antiemetics, antispasmodics and absorbants in diarrhea manage-ment. ... Bhutta TI, Tahir KT. ...
... Alam, Pro fes sor, Pop u la tion Re search Cen tre, In sti tute of Eco nomic Growth, Delhi University En clave, Delhi, In dia, e-mail: moneer@iegindia.org ... Macroeconomic perspective of ageing is yet to take root (Soomro, 2000;... more
... Alam, Pro fes sor, Pop u la tion Re search Cen tre, In sti tute of Eco nomic Growth, Delhi University En clave, Delhi, In dia, e-mail: moneer@iegindia.org ... Macroeconomic perspective of ageing is yet to take root (Soomro, 2000; Nasir and Ali, 2000; Clark, Zaman and Ghafoor, 2002 ...
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Of the women interviewed, 44% reported abuse during the index pregnancy; and of these, 43% experienced emotional abuse and 12.6% reported physical abuse. Factors independently associated with PEAP were number of living children (adjusted... more
Of the women interviewed, 44% reported abuse during the index pregnancy; and of these, 43% experienced emotional abuse and 12.6% reported physical abuse. Factors independently associated with PEAP were number of living children (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.34; CI, ...
Research Interests: Obstetrics, Epidemiology, Pakistan, Developing Countries, Health, and 15 moreAdolescent, Medicine, Intimate Partner Violence, Pregnancy, Population, Humans, Female, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Family Relations, Middle Aged, Gynecology, Adult, Gestation, Family Characteristics, and Paediatrics and reproductive medicine
PIP: The fertility level of Pakistani women living in joint families is compared with those living in nuclear families. The purpose is to test the theory that joint family living is more conducive to higher fertility rates. Data was... more
PIP: The fertility level of Pakistani women living in joint families is compared with those living in nuclear families. The purpose is to test the theory that joint family living is more conducive to higher fertility rates. Data was obtained from the National Impact Survey of Pakistan ...
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... Robert Brodrick,; Mukhtar Karim and; Rami Cheblak, Trowers & Hamlins*. *Robert Brodrick, Mukhtar Karimand and Rami Cheblak, Trowers & Hamlins, Sceptre Court, 40 Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DX, UK. ... Faisal is a... more
... Robert Brodrick,; Mukhtar Karim and; Rami Cheblak, Trowers & Hamlins*. *Robert Brodrick, Mukhtar Karimand and Rami Cheblak, Trowers & Hamlins, Sceptre Court, 40 Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DX, UK. ... Faisal is a successful businessman with his own business in Oman. ...
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As societies transform from a predominantly traditional to a predominantly modern system, they tend to experience considerable demographic changes. Coale (1984) notes that this “transformation is the substitution of slow growth achieved... more
As societies transform from a predominantly traditional to a predominantly modern system, they tend to experience considerable demographic changes. Coale (1984) notes that this “transformation is the substitution of slow growth achieved with low fertility and mortality for slow growth maintained with relatively high fertility and mortality rates”. Demographic transition in Muslim countries is a fairly late phenomenon as discussed in the next section. Most of these countries have followed a similar trend as by many other developing countries. According to the most recent estimate provided by The Economist [September (2003)], the number of Muslims was 1.5 billion in 2003, of which about 97 percent were living in Asian and African countries. About one fourth were concentrated in South Asia and another one-fifth in the Middle-East and North Africa (Arab countries). Figure 1 provides the breakdown of Muslim population living in different regions of the World. Percentage of population in ...