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Fertility, Fecundity and Twinning: A Comparison of the Trends in Births and Twinning in Australia from 1854 to 1982

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

John D.H. Doherty*
Affiliation:
Medical Service, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
*
Medical Service, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy

Abstract

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The trends in births and in twinning in Australia are compared from 1854 to 1982. Until about 1930 the twinning rate increased as births fell. The two rates then became concordant. The relationship of fecundity to twinning is discussed. Comparison with other countries is made. The period embraces the demographic transition when changing contraceptive practices would have had a variable effect on twinning.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1988

References

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