An estimation of reproductive performance in the women of Punjab

This paper reports the preliminary findings on the reproductive performance of 325 Punjabi women between the age limits 35 and 55 years. The total amount of time available for reproduction and total time used for effective reproduction and the period which has been wasted as a result of socio-cultural and biological factors have been calculated in the study in hand. For the purpose of the present study it has been assumed that the time period between menarche and menopause represents the maximum possible length of potential reproductive life. A mean age at menarche of 14.31 years and mean age at menopause of 44.6 years gives an average length of menstrual life of 30.3 years for the cases studied. The mean age at marriage in this sample is 14.60 years. A total of 10,084.20 years were all the reproductive periods of 325 individuals. It has been observed that out of this period only 8,782.90 years (87.08 per cent) have been used for effective reproduction and 1,201.3 years (12.92 per cent) have been wasted as a result of socio-cultural and biological factors. All pregnancies, as well as breast feeding operate to reduce fecusidability. The various contraceptive measures used by mankind also lower reproductive performance.