INVESTIGADORES
ALFARO GOMEZ Emma Laura
artículos
Título:
BIRTH SEASONALITY IN JUJEÑO (NORTH-WEST ARGENTINA) ALTITUDE POPULATIONS
Autor/es:
PASCUAL, J, J. E. DIPIERRL, E. ALFARO AND C. GARCÍA-MORO
Revista:
Journal of Biosocial Science
Referencias:
Año: 2002 p. 249 - 258
Resumen:
Seasonality of births has been related to multiple factors, including
environmental, biological and sociocultural ones, in populations of diverse
geographic and cultural origino However, the relationship between this
variable of bioanthropologic interest and geographic altitude has not been
adequately explored. The aim of this study was to analyse the monthly
distribution pattern of birth rates in Jujeño (north-west Argentina) populations
located at different geographic altitude levels. Data were provided by
the Statistical Reports on Liveborns (n = 110,404) in the province of Jujuy,
1985-1992. Records were grouped by birthplace into the four geographic
regions of the province: Ramal (350 m.a.s.l.), Valle (1200 m.a.s.l.), Quebrada
(2500 m.a.s.l.) and Puna (3500 m.a.s.l.). Henry's coefficients of seasonality
were estimated. A chi-square test for goodness of fit ~) was used to identify
statistically significant seasonal variations. Edwards' test was used to detect
simple harmonic cycles in birth distribution. Statistically significant seasonal
patterns were found in the four geographic regions and they respond to a
cyclic model of simple harmonic variation. The greatest Henry coefficients
were observed in spring and summer in the higher regions (Puna and
Quebrada), whereas they were seen in autumn and winter in the lowlands
(Valle and Ramal). It is suggested that these patterns reflect the influence of
environmental and socioeconomic altitude-related factors and inter-regional
cultural diversity, rather than the influence of geographical altitude per se.