1. Births, Deaths and Populations

Question 1

Define census.

Answer 1

The simultaneous recording of demographic data by the government at a particular time pertaining to all the persons who live in a particular territory.

Question 2

What two key things does a census describe?

Answer 2

Households and people.

Question 3

List five key features of a census.

Answer 3

Run by the government, covers a defined area, simultaneous throughout the defined area, universal coverage, happens at regular intervals (every 10 years in the UK).

Question 4

What are three key bits of information that are gained from a census?

Answer 4

Population size, population structure, population characteristics.

Question 5

What can the data from a census, regarding population size, be used to calculate?

Answer 5

Rates.

Question 6

What can the data gained from a census about population structure highlight?

Answer 6

Service needs.

Question 7

What are five measures of deprivation that can be measured in a census?

Answer 7

Unemployment, overcrowding, lone pensioners, single parents, lack of basic amenities.

Question 8

What are three factors that affect population size and structure?

Answer 8

Births, deaths and migration.

Question 9

Describe a birth notification. (Include details of who completes it, in what time frame and what services use it.)

Answer 9

The attendant at birth completes the birth notification, usually a nurse.
It is completed within 36 hours.
It is used for services such as immunisations.

Question 10

Describe a birth registration. (Include details of who completes it, in what time frame and what services use it.)

Answer 10

The parents complete the birth registration.
It has to be completed within 42 days.
It is used for statistical purposes.

Question 11

Define crude birth rate (CBR).

Answer 11

The number of live births per 1000 of the population.

Question 12

Define general fertility rate (GFR).

Answer 12

The number of live births per 1000 females aged 15-44 years.

Question 13

Define total (period) fertility rate (TPFR).

Answer 13

The average number of children that would be born to a hypothetical woman in her life.

Question 14

What is fecundity?

Answer 14

The physical ability to reproduce.

Question 15

What is fertility?

Answer 15

The realisation of the ability to reproduce as births.

Question 16

List two factors that decrease fecundity.

Answer 16

Sterilisation and hysterectomies.

Question 17

List two factors that increase fertility.

Answer 17

Sexual activity and economic climate.

Question 18

List two factors that decrease fertility.

Answer 18

Contraception and abortions.

Question 19

What does the CBR (crude birth rate) describe?

Answer 19

The impact of births on the size of a population.

Question 20

What is the GFR (general fertility rate) used for?

Answer 20

Comparing the fertility of fertile female populations.

Question 21

What is the TPFR (total period fertility rate) used for?

Answer 21

Comparing fertility of fertile females without being influenced by age group structures.

Question 22

Describe a death certification. (Include details of who completes it and what it must include.)

Answer 22

The attending doctor completes the death certificate.

The likely cause of death must be included.

Question 23

Describe a death registration. (Include details of who completes it and in what time frame.)

Answer 23

A qualified informant, such as a relative, must complete the death registration.
It must be completed within 5 days.

Question 23

Define crude death rate (CBR).

Answer 23

The number of deaths per 1000 population.

Question 24

Define age-specific death rate (ASDR).

Answer 24

The number of deaths per 1000 in an age group.

Question 25

Define standardised mortality ratio (SMR).

Answer 25

A comparison of the observed number of deaths with the expected number of deaths if age-sex distribution of population were identical.

Question 26

Why is mortality data collected? (List four reasons).

Answer 26

To classify the causes of death, analyse patterns in mortality rates, identify health problems and inform service needs.

Question 27

What are population projections?

Answer 27

Estimates using additional assumptions about births, death and migrations about the future.

Question 28

What are population estimations?

Answer 28

Estimates using what is known about births, deaths and migration about the present.