Health, Population and Environment Education 9

Approved by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, Curriculum Development
Centre, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur as an additional material.

Health, Population

Environmen&t Education

9

Author:

Dheejan Babu Kaphle

M.Ed. (Health), MBS, LLB (TU)

Health, Population and Environment - 9 1

Health, Population

Environmen&t Education

9

First edition : 2073
Second edition : 2074
Third edition : 2075 (Revised Edition)
Reprint : 2076

Copyright : Publisher

Layout : Oasis Desktop Group
(Ramesh Bhattarai.
Printed in Nepal

2 Health, Population and Environment - 9

It has been a matter of pleasure to bring this textbook “Health, Population
and Environment Education” for Grade IX with the contents according to
the syllabus prescribed by the Curriculum Development Center, Ministry
of Education, Nepal. This book covers recently updated data related to the
contents. A new scheme for evaluation of practical portion is also included
in the annex with necessary forms required for the students. Besides, the
book is written in simple graspable language and profusely illustrated with
colorful pictures to assist them in understanding the texts easily. During
the preparation of the manuscript, a continuous vision remained persistent
on the psychological and physical potency of children in learning. They
are intended to lead the student on a journey of a healthier lifestyle with
scientific bases and reasoning in the context of contemporary population
and environmental situations in Nepal. I am grateful to them for their
company in the classrooms that has made me familiar to their interests,
capacities and level of recognition.

I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to Oasis Publication
Pvt. Ltd) for the encouragement to prepare this book. I would also like
to express my gratitude and indebtedness to Mr. Ramesh Lamsal and Mr.
Bijayalal Shrestha for editing the texts.

My sincere thanks go to Mrs. Durga Dahal, Mr. Dhiraj Kafle, Mrs. Sumuda
Pokhrel, Mrs. Nisha Adhikari, Bishwas Babu Pokharel, Sandesh Kafle,
Abiraj Kafle, Aamod Kafle, Naju Adhikari, Suraj Adhikari, Surata Pokhrel,
Shriyuta Subedi, Aaryabrat Bhandari, Abhinav Parajuli, and Slok Adhikari
for their kind support.

I am indebted to Mr. Ram Chandra Chaudhary and Oasis Desktop Group
for replication of the raw manuscript into an attractive book for children.

I look forward to valuable feedback and healthy comments from the readers
so that the subsequent edition will be more fruitful.

2018 Dheejan Babu Kaphle
Author

[email protected]

Health, Population and Environment - 9 3

Health, Population and Environment: Specification Grid, 2074

Teaching Knowledge Comprehension Application Higher Efficiency

Unit Contents Hours 26 30.66% 21.33% 21.33%

VS S L VS S L VS S L VS S L

1. Concept of Health, Population 16 1 1
and Environment Education

2. Demography, Population Change 17 11
and Management 14 1 11

3. Population, Environment and
Development

4. Demographic and Environmental 18 1 1
Status of Nepal 18 1

5. Family Life Education and 11
Quality of Life

6. Natural Resource and 18 1 1
Biodiversity 18 1
1
7. Environmental Health and 1
Diseases

8. Adolescence, Sexual and 17 11
Reproductive Health Education

9. Consumers’ Health and 18 11 1
Community Health 16 1
1
10. Primary Health Care, Risk
Awareness and Safety Education

Total 170 5 2 1 4 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 1

Organization of Questions

Types of Questions Number of Number of Marks Time Allocation Full Marks
Questions Questions to for Each 22 mins. (@2 min. for each) 11
Asked Answer Question 63 mins. (@7 min. for each) 36

Questions for Very Short 11 11 @1
Answers

Questions for Short Answers 9 9 @4

Questions for Long Answers 4 4 @7 50 mins. (@12.5 min. for each) 28

Total 24 24 135 minutes (2 hr. 15 min.) 75

Notes:
a) There will be alternative questions separated by ‘or’ in the short questions from units 2, 6, and 9

b) Four areas and three categories of questions according to the specification grid should be included
in each terminal examination.

c) There will be four long questions, one from of each of the areas (knowledge, comprehension,
application and higher efficiency.

4 Health, Population and Environment - 9

Contents

Unit:1 Concept of Health, Population and Environment Education 7-29

1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 7

1.2 Introduction to Health and Health Education........................................... 8

1.3 Introduction to Population and Population Education............................ 13

1.4 Introduction to Environment and Environment Education ................... 16

1.5 Interrelationships among Health Education, Population .......................

Education and Environmental Education ................................................. 18

1.6 Scope of Health, Population, and Environment Education..................... 21

Unit:2 Demography and Population Change 30-49

2.1 Introduction to Demography ....................................................................... 30

2.2 Formal Demography...................................................................................... 31

2.3 Social Demography........................................................................................ 31

2.4 Sources of Population Data........................................................................... 31

2.5 Factors Affecting Population Change............................................................ 39

2.6. Effects of Migration......................................................................................... 43

Unit:3 Population, Environment and Development 50-65

3.1 Interrelationship among Population, Environment and Development.. 50

3.2 Concept of Development............................................................................... 52

3.3 Indicators of Development........................................................................... 54

3.4 Concept of Human Resource Development............................................... 60

3.5 Process of Human Development.................................................................. 62

3.6 Challenges of Human Resource Development in Nepal at Present and

Future Perspectives........................................................................................ 63

Unit : 4 Demographic Situation of Nepal and Environment 66-88

4.1. Population ...................................................................................................... 66

4.2 Urbanization and its Effects......................................................................... 78

Unit: 5 Family Life Education 89-117

5.1 Introduction to Family Life Education........................................................ 90

5.2 Roles and Responsibilities of Parents or Guardians in Family Life....... 98

5.3 Marriage: Introduction................................................................................. 101

Health, Population and Environment - 9 5

5.4 Planning of the Family ............................................................................... 105
5.5 Ageing and Social Security......................................................................... 107
5.6 Social Security............................................................................................... 113

Unit: 6 Natural Resources and Biodiversity 118-145

6.1 Concept of Natural Resources................................................................... 118

6.2 Conservation of the Natural Resources.................................................. 131

6.3 Caring for the Earth ................................................................................... 133

6.4 Human Beings and Earth .......................................................................... 138

Unit:7 Environmental Health 146-171

7.1 Concept of Environmental Health............................................................ 146

7.2 Importance of Environmental Health....................................................... 148

7.3 Environmental Pollution and Its Management....................................... 149

7.4 Solid Waste................................................................................................... 158

7.5 Drainage and Excreta Disposal.................................................................. 163

Unit:8 Adolescence, Sexual and Reproductive Health Education 172-195

8.1 Adolescence ................................................................................................ 172
8.2 Sex Education: Introduction...................................................................... 183
8.3 Reproductive Health.................................................................................. 184
8.4 Reproductive System.................................................................................. 187

8.5 Reproductive Rights.................................................................................... 191

Unit:9 Consumers' Health 196-213

9.1 Consumers and Consumers' Health ........................................................ 196

9.2 Food and Nutrition...................................................................................... 203

9.3 Harmful Goods and Precautions against Such Goods........................... 208

9.4 Planning for Healthier Life ....................................................................... 210

Unit: 10 Primary Health Care and Safety Education 214-229

10.1 Introduction to Primary Health Care ...................................................... 214

10.2 Concept of Risk, Types of Risk and Techniques of Minimizing Risks 217

10.3 Safety Education......................................................................................... 225

Model Question...................................................................................................... 230

6 Health, Population and Environment - 9

1 CONCEPT OF HEALTH,
POPULATION AND
ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION

Contents

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Introduction to Health and Health Education
1.3 Introduction to Population and Population Education
1.4 Introduction to Environment and Environment Education
1.5 Interrelationships between Health Education, Population

Education and Environmental Education
1.6 Scope of Health, Population, and Environment Education

1.6.1 Scope of Health Education
1.6.2 Scope of Population Education
1.6.3 Scope of Environment Education

1.1 Introduction

Health, population and environment are the basic components associated with human
life. They are interrelated with mutual interdependence and remarkable influences
on each other. Human health and population size are affected by the environment
where they live. Healthier environment creates favourable conditions for residence
and survival. Population size affects both environment and health of human beings.
Similarly, health of people influences total population size by bringing changes in
birth, death, and migration. Reproductive phenomenon is one of the main aspects
of health that determines birth. Healthy people have better fecundity1 and longer
life. They can get knowledge and information regarding family life education and
techniques of planning their family in an efficient way.

1. Fecundity : potential biological reproductive power

Health, Population and Environment - 9 7

Health

Population Environment

Deterioration of human health decreases human activities of environmental
conservation and population management. Population size directly determines the
extent of environmental pollution and production of pollutant2 factors. Highly
populated areas are found highly polluted with more production of garbage, sewage3,
and open excreta.

In this way, above-mentioned three factors directly and indirectly affect each other.
Health education, population education, and environment education teach us about
various aspects of health, population and environment.

1.2 Introduction to Health and Health Education

a) Concept of Health

According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), “Health is a
state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not merely4
absence of disease or infirmity5 .”
This definition clarifies that a healthy
person must be physically fit, mentally
fresh, and socially well-adjusted. These
characteristics make people capable of
leading qualitative life in the society
they live.

2. Pollutants : substances that cause pollution
3. Sewage : wastewater
4. Merely : only; nothing more than.
5. Infirmity : weakness or illness of people.

8 Health, Population and Environment - 9

However, this definition has gone through many sorts of criticisms for being too
broad) Somepeopleopinethathealthcan’tonlybedefinedasastate,butitmustbe
understood as a dynamic process. They further claim that the definition of WHO
to be an idealistic6 and can be hardly practised in reality. Whatever is the case, we
must not forget the fact that the concept of health propounded by WHO has
lots of positive implications which encourage people to make efforts to achieve
their positive health)

Some people opine that the health is a continuous process of adjustment in
the environment or it is the process of adaptation7 with the factors in the
surroundings.
i. Physical Health
Physical health is the aspect of human health related to physical parts of
body. In other words, it is the state of health determined by anatomical
and physiological characteristics of our body. Human body is like a
biological machine working with complex systems and processes. If
there is imbalance in these structures and their working processes the
physical health state declines down and we become ill.

ii. Mental Health
Before the concept of health given by WHO, health was considered as the

condition of physical body. The mental aspects were not considered as

6. Idealistic : of high moral and intellectual value but hardly practicable.
7. Adaptation : the act or process of being adjusted.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 9

an important part of human health) After the concept of WHO, mental
health was started to be regarded as one of the important aspect of health)
Mental health is the aspect of human health related to mind and mental
states of people. In other words, it is the state of health determined by
mental and psychological characteristics of people.

Human mind is like a complex set of thoughts and logics related to its
environment. If there is imbalance in the processes of mind and thoughts,
the state of mental health declines down and we become mentally ill. Loss
of memory, lack of decision making power and lack of logical capacity
are some of the conditions of mental illness.

iii. Social Health: The concept of social health also came into existence along
with the concept of mental health. Social health is the state of human
health determined by the social characteristics of people.

Man is considered as a social animal because of special characteristics to
remain adjusted in society. Such characteristics include the capacity of
people to adjust in the society abiding the social norms and values. Lack
of the capacity to adjust in society, lack of ability to conform the general
rules and norms of the working environment and weak compliance of
general expected roles and behaviors towards other people are some
conditions of social illness.

10 Health, Population and Environment - 9

Characteristics of Healthy Person

Physical Characteris- Mental Characteristics Social Characteristics
tics

• Healthy body • Good memory • Capacity to be
systems
• Self-control adjusted in family
• Cheerfulness
• Free from and society
• Sound sleep conflicts internal • Ability to comply the

• Good appetite • Feeling of self esteem accepted rules and

norms

• Active body • Self confidence • Leadership

• Cooperative

• Good moral character

b) Concept of Health Education

Many scholars8 have defined health education in their own ways as it means
different senses to different people. Therefore, it is very hard to find a common
definition acceptable to all. However, few statements given below can definitely
help us to understand what health education is:

• Health education is a continuous and lifelong process. It should be
followed continuously in our life.

• Health education does not only aim at maintaining sound health but
also at bringing changes in health knowledge, attitude and behavior of
individuals.

• Health education is concerned with promoting a happier and healthier
life.

Thus, health education can be defined as a continuous process that enables
the learners to bring changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to
health. Health education becomes only an assumption if it is not applied in
practical life. The changes brought up through the education must be applied
in behavior to maintain sound health. A healthy person can live a happier life
with higher quality. Sound health assures happiness and satisfaction regarding
various aspects of human needs. So, it is itself a valuable wealth of human life.

Only a healthy person can be capable of performing different income generating

8. Scholar : someone who has studied a subject with focus and knows a lot about it.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 11

activities and fortify9 his/her economic condition. Therefore, health should be
regarded as an important prerequisite for wealth. Sound health is a platform
that creates the environment for a prosperous and happy life. Therefore,
it is also regarded as an important element of quality life. The aim of health
education is not only to make people accept it as a precious wealth but also
to bring change in their behavior and attitude. Each family and community
should have appropriate plan for health education to encourage their members
to achieve sound health. Just because a person knows the importance of good
health, the achievement of healthy life is not possible. Personal effort of every
individual is equally important for this.

People are provided with different health facilities like health posts, health
centers, hospitals, private health clinics in the community. People must know
that it is not always possible to maintain healthy life through personal attempt
only as there are different factors affecting it. In such cases, the health facilities
available in the community can play a vital role in maintaining good health if
they are utilized properly.

c) Need and Importance of Health Need and Importance of Health Education

Education

Health education, as we discussed i. Health Education teaches the methods
of remaining healthy.
earlier, helps to bring changes ii. Health Education brings reformation in
an unhealthy lifestyle.
in students regarding healthy Health Education teaches to get rid of
behavior and lifestyle. Health iii. diseases.

education is very important in our iv. Health Education helps in conservation
of environment.
life. The importance and necessity
of health education are described v. Health Education develops healthy
manpower.
below.

i. Health Education teaches the methods to remain healthy

Although everybody in this world wants to remain healthy, it may not
always be possible because nobody has got good health as a boon. To
achieve a healthy life, continuous attempt is essential. Single mistake or
a minor negligence can take our life. Sometimes it can compel us to lead
such a life which becomes burden for all. Therefore, we should always
remain conscious towards it. Many people may not have basic knowledge
about how to acquire good health. Health education helps those people

9. Fortify : to make stronger.
12 Health, Population and Environment - 9

know different ways of maintaining good health)

ii. Health Education brings reformation in an unhealthy lifestyle

Many people lead unhealthy life style knowingly or unknowingly. Most
of the unhealthy behaviors are guided by several superstitious beliefs and
practices present in the society. In such context, people can never follow
the right track and change their behavior. Health education provides
proper guidance and care on the basis of scientific facts. It helps people
learn the importance of health and encourage them to lead a healthy life
by reforming their unhealthy life style.

iii. Health Education teaches to get rid of diseases

In the developing countries like Nepal, the infectious10 diseases like
diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, etc. have played considerable
roles behind the death of thousands of people every year. Health
education teaches people about different preventive, promotional, and
curative measures against such diseases.

iv. Health Education helps in conservation of environment

Health education encourages people to keep their surroundings clean
and green. The germ-free surroundings and biotic greenery help in
conservation of the environment.

v. Health Education develops healthy manpower.

Health education brings changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior
of people towards healthy life. Therefore, an individual with proper
health education can fortify the health of other members in the family
and community. In such situation, people become healthy and able to
work better as better human resource.

Activity

Conduct a symposium in the classroom on "Practical Methods for Well-Being"
with the opinions of every students.

1.3 Introduction to Population and Population Education

a) Concept of Population

Population can be defined as the total number of people living in a certain

10. Infectious : causing infection on the affected part; produced by some living causative agents and
therefore communicable in nature.

11. Skyrocketing : increasing very rapidly.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 13

area at the given point of time. In the ancient time, there was less population
and people were not concerned about the problems created by increased
population. But population is increasing in a skyrocketing11 way nowadays.
Population of a place produces remarkable influence on the environment and
the state of people's health)

b) Concept of Population Education
Professor Sloan Wayland of Columbia University coined12 the term "population

education" with burning population issues in the world) There was an
important workshop on population and family life education in 1970 AD in
Bangkok organized by UNESCO13 . The workshop has given the meaning of
population education as:

“Population education is an educational program which provides the study
of population situations in the family, community, nation, and the world with
the purpose of developing rational14 attitudes and behavior towards that
situation”.

Population education gives knowledge about population phenomena15 like
demographic processes, census, factors influencing population, reproductive
processes of human being, human sexuality16 , consequences of rapid
population growth, etc. We can define population education as an educational
process which brings rational change in knowledge, attitude, and behavior of
the students regarding population situations and other various aspects related
to population. Population education possesses the main objective of developing
behavioral changes in people by providing them knowledge about different
population characteristics and situation as well as ways and techniques to
manage population situation in favor of human being and their environment.
Population education assists people in taking decisions in to various matters
related to:

i. Proper age at marriage.

ii. Proper age at conception.

iii. Proper birth spacing.

12. Coin : bring some word or phrases in practice first in the world)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
13. UNESCO : based on facts and truths, positive.
an occurrence, circumstance, or process that is perceptible by the senses. (Singular:
14. Rational : phenomenon. Plural: phenomena)
conditions or qualities of being characterized and distinguished by sex.
15. Phenomenon :



16. Sexuality :

14 Health, Population and Environment - 9

iv. Planning and caring family.
v. Disseminating the knowledge and information about population.
vi. Population management of home, community, and nation.
vii. Utilization of natural resources in a rational way.
c) Need and Importance of Population Education

Population education aims to

develop behavioral changes
in people by providing a i. Population Education gives knowledge
about population situations.
plenty of information related
ii. Population Education brings positive
to population characteristics changes in population behaviors.

and situation. It also gives iii. Population Education helps people to
knowledge about the techniques make their family happy.

to manage population situation iv. Population Education helps in utilizing
in favor of human being and natural resources in a proper way.

their environment. Population v. Population education contributes to
education is very important sustainable development.

for us because of the following

reasons:

i. Population education gives knowledge about population situations

Population situation is the primary factor to be known for making
steps to manage population. Population situation includes population
composition, distribution, density, size, growth, and other various
demographic measures.

ii. Population education brings positive changes in population behaviors

Positive population behavior includes rational attitude and practices
towards population situations. Family planning through birth control
and spacing, awareness, limiting family size, population management,
reproductive behavior, etc. are main areas of contribution of population
education in bringing positive changes in people.

iii. Population education helps people to make their family happy

In order to make family happy, the family size must be small or limited.
Large families cannot fulfill basic needs of the family. On the other hand,
population education helps to give solution to produce child for infertile
people.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 15

iv. Population education helps in utilizing natural resources in proper
way

This branch of education helps in managing population distribution
according to the availability of natural resources. On the one hand, it
teaches to utilize resources in a proper way to make human life fulfilled
with basic needs. On the other hand, it gives knowledge and techniques
regarding proper conservation of natural resources with active
involvement of people along with control of human encroachment to the
natural resources.

v. Population education contributes to sustainable development

Environmental conservation is one of the major concerns of population
education. Sustainable development supports environmental
conservation in the developmental process. Population education
makes people aware of the interrelationships between population
and sustainable development. Thus, it contributes for the sustainable
development.

1.4 Introduction to Environment and Environment Education

a) Concept of Environment

Environment is the totality of surrounding that encompasses various biotic,
abiotic, and socio-cultural components. Environment comprises various
factors like air, water, land, soil, biodiversity, microorganisms, other natural
resources, and some other abstract components created by human beings.
Cultural practices, norms, values, feasts and festivals, etc. are some man-made
abstract components of the environment. All living creatures must develop
their capacity to adjust in the environment for healthy survival. The basic
components needed for survival can be obtained from the environment. People
interact with the environment each and every moment and the interaction
determines their health status.

b) Concept of Environment Education

Environment education aims to develop rational changes in people to adjust
among the components of their surroundings in environment-friendly way. It
teaches students about the status of environment, identification of hazards, and
ways to give proper solutions to those hazards. Thus, environment education

16 Health, Population and Environment - 9

can be defined as the educational process designed to bring rational changes in
knowledge, attitude, and behavior among students regarding environmental
situations, environmental hazards17 , methods of conservation of environment
and other various matters related to it.

Environment education can be defined as the process of recognizing values
and clarifying concepts to understand and appreciate the interrelationship
among man, his culture and biophysical18 surroundings. Environmental
education develops knowledge, skills and attitude in individual, which is
helpful to conserve the environment. It produces human resources devoted
and committed in the preservation and promotion of healthy environment.

c) Need and Importance of Environment Education
Environment education provides us knowledge about the environment and

aims to bring positive attitudes and behaviors towards it. As we live in the
environment, we need proper knowledge about environment. Environmental
education is important because of the following reasons:
i. Environment education gives knowledge and information about the

environmental situations.
The information that the environment education gives is useful to bring

changes in attitude and behavior of students towards the environment. It
gives information about status of natural resources, natural composition of
various factors of components, endangered situations of environment, etc.

17. Hazard : something that creates problems, difficulties, or imbalances.
18. Biophysical : related to both living and nonliving things.
19. Biodiversity : the degree of vividness of living things in unit area)

Health, Population and Environment - 9 17

ii. Environment education gives techniques to conserve environment.

This branch of education teaches us about different methods of
conservation of environment. In-situ and ex-situ conservation methods
of rare living creatures, conservation of abiotic components, and
human assistance to the nature for continuation of natural processes of
environment are some of main examples focused and taught through the
environmental education.

iii. This branch of education assists people in developing rational attitude
and behavior towards the environmental situation.

Environmental education helps in changing the behavioral pattern of
people to promote environmental situation and also to be adjusted well
in the environment. Environmental sanitation, protection of natural
resources, identification of natural hazards and many other factors are
also taught by environment education.

1.5 Interrelationships among Health Education, Population
Education and Environmental Education

Health, population, and environment education are interrelated to one another.

Political Psychological
Aspects Aspects

Economic Environmental Health Physical
Aspects Education Education Aspects

Population
Education

Socio-cultural Science and
Aspects Technological

Biological Aspects
Aspects

Relationship among different aspects of health, population and environment education.

18 Health, Population and Environment - 9

All of the factors affect one another in several ways. The relationship can be
established on the basis of following aspects:

a) Physical aspect

Physical aspect includes those things, which have non-living physical existence.
They also influence the total surrounding from different angles. This aspect
includes natural resources like air, water, soil, etc. Man made components like
development works, constructions, etc. have physical existence. The physical
aspects constitute environment and affect health status of human being.

Population distribution depends on availability of physical components.
Population density is higher at those places, where physical components
needed for life are abundant, and it is low in those places, where there is lack
of these components. People want to live in well-facilitated areas.

b) Biological aspect

Biological aspect includes the living components of surroundings. Biodiversity19
is an important determinant of population distribution and density. Human
being is also one of the components of biodiversity. It depends upon several
other biotic factors including plants and animals. Human survival is possible
only with the consumption of biotic resources of the environment. Food, cloth,
furniture, fresh air, availability of water, etc. are influenced by living things
around them. On the other hand, human health obviously determines the
population size of its own.

The population size directly and indirectly influences the environment. In
this way, health, population, and environment are interrelated on the basis of
biological aspect.

c) Economic aspect

Economic aspect is the sum of all products of human activities and advancement
of economy along with civilization. Economic funds are needed for conducting
health, population, and environmental activities. This aspect determines the
availability and accessibility of health services. Sound health of people helps
them to increase their capabilities to generate income. People utilize their
income in environmental sanitation and population control activities. Similarly,
limited population makes family happy and economically strong. Highly
populated areas suffer more from environmental hazards and pollution.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 19

d) Socio-cultural aspect
Socio-cultural aspect includes social norms, values, social systems, traditions,

and practices. These factors affect health, population, and environment. There
are many cultural systems affecting health of people. Some ethnic groups of
people have system of alcohol on their religious occasions. Such system affects
health adversely. Some of religious days are celebrated with compulsory bath
in the morning. Such cultural traits are helpful to promote healthier behavior
of people. The socio-cultural practices are influenced by the environmental
factors around us and their utilization. They are mostly associated with locally
available plants, animals, rivers, and other natural resources. Similarly, the
environment is also affected by these practices. In some cultural days, we have
trend of overeating and in some we remain hungry without taking even water.
Both practices harm our health because we need food in limited amount in
regular intervals.

e) Psychological aspect

Psychological aspect is related with the mental state of human being. It is
influenced by the surroundings and environment. Psychological state cannot
be described and understood just as abstract aspect; rather it is determined by
the mental health and healthy function of brain. In order to maintain brain
in healthy state, one must have sound health, which can be obtained with
controlled population in their living area and clean environment. If people have
positive attitude towards environment, they participate in the environmental
conservation programs and conserve the environmental resources. They
maintain healthy environment and achieve good health.

f) Science and technological aspect

Human health, population, and environment
are interrelated on the basis of science and
technological aspects developed by human
beings. Health is broadly studied in medical
science and many scientific achievements
affect human health in positive as well as in
negative ways. Some new inventions like
x-ray, ultrasonography20 , computerized
tomography21 (CT) scan, and other various

20. Ultrasonography : a technology of obtaining images of the internal organs with ultrasound)

21. Tomography : a technology of obtaining images in the form of transverse slices at different depth)

20 Health, Population and Environment - 9

scientific technologies are widely used in diagnosis and treatment of different
diseases of human beings. These new technologies are useful in tackling against
human diseases and health hazards. Uses of certain technologies are harmful
to human health and environment as well. Nuclear power experiments,
development of different categories of weapons, production of pollutants
etc. can be taken as some of the adverse effects of science and technologies on
health and environment.

Some of scientific technologies are useful in conservation of environment.
Identification of environmental problems and evaluation of environmental
status has been easier due to development of technologies. In such several ways
health, population, and environment are interrelated on the basis of science
and technological aspects.

g) Political aspect

Political aspect determines guidelines for various dimensions of a nation.
National health strategies are formulated by the government. In Nepal, there
are many health strategies included in three-year interim plan. National health
programs run according to these strategies. Health and Population Ministry
works for the conservation of environment and population management
activities. The government is made by political activities like election, activities
of political parties, and other political movements. In this way, political aspect
of a nation determines the state of health, population, and environment.

1.6 Scope of Health, Population, and Environment Education

1.6.1 Scope of Health education

In general, scope of health education can be understood as the areas included
in health education. Health education not only communicates knowledge
about body features and diseases, but also includes the matters concerned
with healthy surroundings, human psychological states affecting health, public
health, human anthropology, medical science, and so many other things. We
can list the scopes of health education as follows:

a) Home
Home is the residence of all people. Home is the first school for all. A child

passes the primary days of life at home. Every individual learns the basic
skills of survival at home. Proper time to wake up in the morning, to start
daily sanitary schedules, to eat, to practise all other health behavior are learnt
at home. The child lives in community and learns many more about healthy

Health, Population and Environment - 9 21

social adjustment in the social environment. Health education aims to raise the
level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to health and healthy life.

b) School

Children go to school for formal education and spend most of active hours of
a day. They achieve several forms of health knowledge and develop healthy
attitude and practise accordingly. Their health status depends upon the
environment of school, health curriculum, healthful school environment, co-
curricular and extra-curricular health activities.

c) Community
Community is a place where many people live with their families. People’s

health is determined by the several factors in the community. Health education
teaches about these factors like community sanitation, drainage, health service
providing organizations, and health centers.

d) Health psychology

Health education includes the information related to health psychology. Health
psychology is the mental states, which influence the production of thoughts
guiding health behaviors.

e) Medical science

Medical science is also a branch of health education. This branch of science deals
with medications, their working mechanisms in our body, and exploration of
medications.

f) Population education

Human health is directly related to population. Both are interdependent to
each other. Health education accommodates the basic aspects of population
education. Demography, population characteristics, and reproductive
behaviors are some of the contents of population education studied in health
education.

g) Environmental education

Healthy life is possible in healthy environment. Environmental factors,
its status, and modes of influences of environmental factors over health are
studied in health education.

h) Physical education

Physical education teaches about physical exercises, its appropriate methods,
and their influences in human body. Physical exercises must be done in

22 Health, Population and Environment - 9

scientific ways. Physical education is a branch of health education that aims to
promote status of health with bodily fitness acquired through exercise of body.

School

Community

Home

Physical Scope of Health Health
Education Education Psychology

Population Education Medical Science

Population Education

Scopes of Health Education

1.6.2 Scope of Population Education

Population education was regarded just as the process of giving knowledge
about population status in the past. But nowadays, its areas have become
broader and it includes many other fields of population studies.
It teaches about management of population as well as population control.
On the other hand, it assists to produce children for sterile couples. Scopes of
population education are described below:
a) Demography and demographic characteristics

Demography and demographic characteristics are main scopes of population
education. Demography includes the knowledge of population situation,
forecast, present trends and similar factors. Population composition and
distribution, growth rates, migration rates, and behavior of people influencing
those factors are also studied in population education.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 23

b) Determinants of population change



Emigration

–

Fertility + Population – Mortality
Size
+

Immigration

Population change occurs due to change in three demographic factors. They
are birth, death, and migration. Population education studies about the trends
of changes in these factors.

c) Consequences of rapid population growth

Population growth has been a big problem all over the world) There are
many consequences of rapid population growth (RPG). Some of them are
environment pollution, exploitation of natural resources, loss of biodiversity,
increase in social evils and crimes, etc. Population education includes these
factors and gives knowledge about them.

d) Human sexuality

Population is increased due to birth. Birth is a result of human
sexuality22 . Therefore, this stream has been a scope of population education.
It teaches students about the sex behavior of human being, adolescence,
reproductive phenomenon, and measures to manage population at home,
community, and nation. It teaches about sex psychology and behavior of
people along with population plan for family, community, and nation.

e) Planning for the future
Population education deals with family size, family income, family expenditures,

marriage at appropriate age, first child at appropriate age, birth spacing, use of
contraceptives, savings, and such other matters related with the planning for the future.

24 Health, Population and Environment - 9

Determinants of
population change

Planning for the Human
future sexuality

Scope of
Population
Education

Consequences of Demography and
rapid population demographic
characteristics
growth

Scopes of Population Education

1.6.3 Scope of Environment Education

Environment education includes the study of various factors of the environment
which affect the health of human beings. Environment comprises all the factors
in our surroundings. It includes even abstract22 factors , which do not have
weight, length, and breadth. Cultural traits, social norms and values, feasts
and festivals etc. are some of the examples of abstract aspects. Some of the
scopes of environment education are described below:

a) Physical aspect: (soil, water, air, rocks, gases, etc.)

The physical aspect includes non-living things on the earth. They are soil, water,
air, rocks, gases, etc. Environment education gives knowledge about the status
of soil, water, air, rocks, gases, and other various physical components of the
earth).It aims to make students aware of the effects and consequences of human
activities upon these factors. It also gives knowledge to raise environment-
friendly attitude and behavior among the students.

22. Abstract : non-physical, non-concrete, based on thoughts and beliefs.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 25

Physical aspect: Biological aspect
(soil, water, air, (biology, agriculture,
rocks, gases, etc.)
forestry etc.)
Scope of
Environment

Education

Socio-cultural
aspect (sociology,
civics, religion, eth-
nicity, anthropology

, etc.)

Scopes of Environment Education

b) Biological aspect (biology, agriculture, forestry23 etc.)
The biotic factors include living plants and animals, their life mechanism,

interrelationships etc. Some of the educational streams related to the biotic aspects
are biology, agriculture, and forestry. They are some of the important scopes of
the environment education. This branch of education helps to develop the level of
knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding these factors in the students.

c) Socio-cultural aspect (sociology, civics24 , religion, ethnicity,
anthropology25 , etc.)

Environment has some of abstract aspects too. Abstract aspects include religious,
cultural, ethnic, and social norms and values. Some of the educational streams
dealing with this aspect are sociology, civics, and anthropology. Environment
education also teaches students about such abstract factors, which play vital
roles in the environment.

Activity

Make a list of any ten methods that you can apply to make your family healthy.

23. Forestry : the science of studying about forests.

24. Civics : the study of rights and responsibilities of citizen and government.

25. Anthropology : the scientific study of human beings and their developmental history.

26 Health, Population and Environment - 9

Notes

l Health, population and environment are interrelated with mutual
interdependence and remarkable influences on each other.

l A healthy person must be physically fit, mentally fresh, and socially
well-adjusted.

l Physical health of our body is determined by anatomical and
physiological characteristics of our body.

l Mental health is the aspect of human health related to mind and
mental states of people.

l Social health is the state of human health determined by the social
characteristics like capacity to be adjusted in family and society, ability
to comply the accepted rules and norms, leadership etc. of people.

l Health education is a continuous and lifelong process. It should be
followed continuously in our life. It is concerned with promoting a
happier and healthier life.

l Population of a place produces remarkable influence on the
environment and the state of people's health

l Population education makes people aware of the interrelationships
between population and sustainable development.

l People interact with the environment each and every moment and the
interaction determines their health status.

l The government is made by political activities like election, activities
of political parties, and other political movements. In this way,
political aspect of a nation determines the state of health, population,
and environment.

l Health education, population education and environment education
possess specific scopes that interact with each others with significant
inter-influences.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 27

Exercises

Group "A"

Give very short answers to the following questions.
1. Define population.
2. Write the definition of health according to WHO.
3. What do you mean by environment education?
4. Mention any one characteristic of healthy person.
5. Write any one scope of health education.
6. Give an example which proves that science and technological factors affect

environment.
7. Define environment.
8. Write any one basis of establishing interrelationship between health,

population, and environment education.
9. Write any one component of psychological aspect affecting human

population.
10. Mention any one way of influencing human health by political aspect.

Group "B"

Give short answers to the following questions.
1. "A healthy environment ensures healthy life." Justify.
2. Explain the meaning of health in broader aspect.
3. What weaknesses do you find in the definition of health given by WHO?
4. What roles can we play to provide health education to the community?
5. Why is population education regarded as multi-dimensional?
6. What are the roles of physical aspects in human health?
7. How do science and technological aspect affect environmental aspect?
8. Write short note on:

28 Health, Population and Environment - 9

a) Socio-cultural scope of environment education.
b) Importance of population education.
c) UNESCO's definition of population education.

Group "C"

Give long answers to the following questions.
1. Why should we study population education? Discuss the importance of

population education with examples.
2. What are the importance of environment education? Explain.
3. Explain the interrelationship among health, population and environment

education.
4. "Political activities in a country affect peoples' health" Justify with necessary

examples.
5. Explain in detail about the scopes of population education and environment

education.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 29

2 DEMOGRAPHY AND
POPULATION CHANGE

Contents

2.1 Introduction to Demography
2.2 Formal Demography
2.3 Social Demography
2.4 Sources of Population Data
2.5 Factors affecting population change
2.6. Effects of Migration

2.1 Introduction to Demography

Population is never static) It is continuously changing all the time. It grows or
declines through the interaction of three demographic components: birth, death,
and migration. There are various characteristics of population. We need a systematic
study of these characteristics to know and analyze present, past and future statuses of
population. In order to make it feasible and easy, we study demography.
The word ‘Demography’ is composed of two Greek terms: ‘Demos’ and ‘Graphien’.
‘Demos’ means people and ‘Graphien’ means scientific study. Thus, demography
means the scientific study of human population. Only this etymological1 meaning
may not be sufficient to understand its wider scopes in broader sense. Nowadays, it
is studied as formal and social demography.
According to the demographic dictionary published by UNO2 "Demography is the
scientific study of human population primarily with respect to their size, structure,
and development."

1. Etymological : pertaining to the study of the history and origin of the words and their meanings.
2. UNO : United Nations Organization.

30 Health, Population and Environment - 9

2.2 Formal Demography

It is the traditional and narrow concept of demography. Formal demography is the
study of human populations related to the basic aspects of human population like
its size and distribution. UN Multilingual Demographic Dictionary has also focused
on such basic aspects of human population under the study of demography. Thus,
demography is defined as the scientific and statistical study of human populations
mainly about their distribution, size, composition, as well as the causes and
consequences of changes in these characteristics.

2.3 Social Demography

It is the broader and newer technique of studying human population in relation to
the existing social traits and factors. Demography is directly related to the social
traits and characteristics like social traditions, customs, economy etc. Therefore,
demography should be studied in the light of such social features and characteristics.
Social demography is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as the scientific study
of people’s age, education, residence, socioeconomic and marital status.

According to Shryock and Siegel, "demography is not merely related with the
population and the determinants of population and changes, it also studies the
interrelationships between other affective factors like social, economic, political,
geographical, environmental, biological aspects of society." Thus, the concept of
social demography studies the total situation of population in wider sense.

2.4 Sources of Population Data

Population data mean the statistical information related to population and its
determinants. In order to analyze the situation of population at any place, we need
basic information of population situation and its characteristic features. Population
data provide such necessary information required to diagnose the specific population
traits and characteristics. It also helps to predict the future characteristics as well. Data
and information related to population situation of certain place can be obtained from
difference sources. The sources that provide such information about the population
situation, characteristics of population and the determinants of population are called
sources of population data. They are mainly categorized into primary and secondary
sources.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 31

2.4.1. Primary Sources of Population Data

The sources which provide the first-hand population data collected from the
concerned people themselves are known as primary sources of population
data) Main procedures related to primary sources of population data are
census, survey, study, observation and ocular study etc.

We describe some of main primary sources of population data as given below:

i. Census

ii. Vital registration

iii. Sample survey

iv. Administrative records

v. Population Register

i. Census

It is considered as the major source of population data) It includes many
processes. It helps to find out population status of a country or any other
area. Census is taken every 10 years in Nepal. It was last taken in 2011
AD. In some countries it is taken every five years.

In 1970 AD, UNO has defined census as a total process of collecting,
compiling, evaluating, analyzing, and publishing demographic,
economic and social data pertaining at a specified time to all persons in
a country or in a well-defined part of a country.

Methods
of

Census

De-facto Modified
Method De-jure

De-jure
Method

Methods of Census

32 Health, Population and Environment - 9

History of Census

Census is said to have been started in very primitive society. In ancient time,
census was primarily taken to find out the tax-payee people and amount of tax
collected. But nowadays, census has many perspectives and widely used with
many purposes. Historical trend of census can be studied from the table below:

History of first Censuses in Ancient Time

Places Census Year

Bolivia 4000 BC

China 3000 BC

Egypt 2500 BC

India 330 BC (During the time of King Ashoka)

The modern census is considered to have begun from 1665 AD. It was started
at that time in New France and Acadia (Canada). Modern census includes
many new techniques of census procedures. Modern census started in many
countries in different times. Some of them are listed below:

Places Modern Censuses in the World
The First Census (Year)

New France 1665 AD

Acadia(Canada) 1665 AD

USA 1790 AD

Britain 1801 AD

India 1872 AD

Nepal 1911 AD

In Nepal, census was started in 1911 AD (1968 BS). It was not scientific and
there were many weaknesses. The fifth census in the year 1952-54 AD took two
years and adopted new scientific methods first of all. Data were enumerated in
two phases resulting lack of accuracy in that census; therefore it is considered
as partially scientific census. Altogether, eleven censuses have been held in
Nepal and the latest census in the year 2011 AD was the eleventh one.

Methods of Census
Census can be taken in different ways. Major three ways of taking census are
described below.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 33

a) De facto method

It is an old method of census. It was first practised in Britain. It is a method
of census in which people are enumerated within one night called census
night wherever they are found. In this method, people are informed to live in
their respective places so that enumerators can meet them. The census night is
usually determined in the full moon night of autumn or spring season.

b) De jure method

It is a modern method of census. It is used all over the world. It is a method of
census in which population data are enumerated at the permanent resident of
people; not at the temporary residence. However it takes two or three weeks,
it is practicable and regarded as scientific) It can have more reliable data and
easier method as it is done during daytime.

Differences between de-facto and de-jure methods of census

De-facto method De-jure method

i. People are counted wherever i. People are counted in their

they are found) permanent residence.

ii. It is held at night. ii. It is held during day time.

iii. It is not in practice nowadays. iii. It is widely practised in most of
the countries of the world)

iv. It is a non-scientific method of iv. It is regarded as a scientific

census. method of census.

v. It needs low cost and less time. v. It costs higher and takes longer
time.

vi. The outcomes are less reliable. vi. The outcomes are more reliable.

c) Modified De-Jure method

It is very similar to De-Jure method of census. But, the usual residence is taken
instead of the permanent residence. The usual residence means the place where
a person is living for at least six months. From the census of 1952-54 BS, this
method has been followed in the census of Nepal. This method of census is
followed by most of the countries nowadays.

Features of Census

Major characteristic features of census are listed below:
i. Census is the key source of authentic and reliable data related to

34 Health, Population and Environment - 9

population and demography.

ii. Census provides several data like age, gender, occupation, language,
religion, birth, death, migration etc. related to population.

iii. Census is taken and controlled by the government of concerned state or
country.

iv. Census is held within the pre-determined duration of certain period)

v. Census is held after an interval of certain time period) (Generally of five
or ten years)

vi. Census primarily collects the first hand data from individuals.

Data Collected in Census

The contents or the information collected in censuses in various countries are
almost similar. UNO has recommended a list of contents for carrying out census.
Most of the countries follow the same guideline recommended by UNO, which
includes geographical, economic, personal and household characteristics as given
below.

a) Geographical characteristics
• Resident at the time of counting
• Place of birth: rural or urban
• Place of previous residence
• Place of usual residence
• Duration of residence

• Place of work

b) Economic characteristics
• Occupation
• Industry
• Main source of income

• Income from various sources

• Employment status

c) Personal characteristics
• Age
• Sex
• Marital status
• Age at marriage

Health, Population and Environment - 9 35

• Order of birth
• Mother tongue and other languages known
• Literacy
• Educational attainment

• Citizenship

d) Household characteristics

• Name of the head of the household and rest of the family members and
relationship with the head of the household

• Individual living in the household and not related with the head of the
household

• Living children
• Religion
• Caste\Ethnicity

• Number of children ever born

• Number of live birth and death occurred during 12 months previous to
the census year

Advantages of Census
Census is very essential to obtain necessary information required for good

governance and formulation of developmental plans and policies of a country.
Some of the major advantages of census are listed below:

a) Census provides various data related to population situation of a country.
Total population, population density, distribution of population,
population composition, economic status of people etc. are some of the
major information provided by census.

b) Census provides necessary data required for the formulation of
developmental plans and policies of a country.

c) Census helps in shaping political activities and developing the action
plans related to public concerns.

d) Census is an opportunity to bring the governing units of a country or
state closer to their people up to the grassroots level.

e) It is necessary to analyze the status of quality of life and know the
information related to status of people.

Activity

Ask your guardians and neighbours about the information collected from their families during
the last census 2068 BS. Make a list of any ten information and show it to your teacher.

36 Health, Population and Environment - 9

ii. Vital Registration
It is the registration of vital characteristics of people. It is registered at authorized

government offices. Municipalities and village development committees (VDC)
keep records of vital registration. It is also called partial registration because it
keeps an specific item of demographic data like birth, death, migration etc. up
to date. Different demographic events are recorded separately in this system.
"Vital registration is a legal registration, statistical recording, and reporting
of the occurrences of vital demographic events like birth, death, marriage,

miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, fetal death, divorce3 , annulment4 , immigration
and emigration."
It is considered as a reliable source of population data. After recording the vital
events once, the recorded data are revised annually to find estimated changes
to make it updated. People must have necessary awareness regarding vital
registration so that they become motivated by themselves to record their vital
demographic events.
Vital registration was first started in Britain in the 16th century. At that time,
the Churchman used to maintain the records of vital events. In 1563, there
was a provision of vital registration within the churches of Roman Catholics.
Similarly, in 1837, Britain passed a Registration Act for vital registration
procedure.
In 1608, Sweden started vital registration on the basis of modern concepts and

3. Divorce : legal termination of an existing marriage, leaving the marital status ‘divorced’.
4. Annulment : legal termination of an illegal marriage, leaving the marital status ‘unmarried’.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 37

techniques. This was the first scientific vital registration. Following table shows
the historical trend of scientific vital registration in different countries:

Historical trend of modern vital registration

Country Year of the First Vital Registration

Sweden 1608 AD

Canada 1610 AD

Finland 1628 AD

Denmark 1646 AD

Norway 1684 AD

Nepal 1978 AD (2035 BS)

In 2021 BS, Central Bureau of Statistics had started a pilot project to register
vital events in Kathmandu valley. Though vital registration was supposed
to be started in 2035 BS in Nepal,at that time it was started in ten districts.
Gradually increasing the number of districts, vital registration was started in
all the 75 districts from the year 2047 BS. The provision for vital registration
was maintained in Village Panchayat Act 2019 BS and Registration Act 2033 BS
in Nepal.

iii. Sample Survey

Sample survey is defined as a process of collecting, compiling, evaluating,
analyzing and publishing population data of a sampled population for
generalizing the result to the total population.

Sample survey is also called partial census. It is because a small portion of
population is taken under study in sample survey. The study result of small
portion of population is generalized to total population. As in census, a list
of questionnaire is prepared and data is collected from the selected or sample
houses or people. It was first started in Britain in the 19th century by Mr. Charles
Booth. In the beginning of the 20th century, Mr. B) W. Rowntree used this system
to study on the demographic components in Britain. After 1950, the system is
found to be used remarkably in many countries. In 1956, Population Research
Center was established in Princeton University and the center carried out more
than 400 demographic studies with the help of sample survey. In Nepal, this
method of studying population characteristics was started since 1966 AD. We can
find a number of survey reports on various aspects of demographic conditions

38 Health, Population and Environment - 9

in Nepal. Nowadays, this method is widely used all over the world. It is an
easier, faster, and economical method of finding out population characteristics.
Both longitudinal and cross-sectional methods of surveys are used in Nepal
according to the needs, requirements and demographic characteristics.

iv. Administrative Records

Administrative units and organizations keep different population data for
their different purposes. There are some organizations which are formed to
keep and manage data. Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal keeps records
of various types of data and makes these data available to others. Almost all
organizations keep their related data in their administration. School keeps
records of teachers, students and staff. Industries keep record of employees,
staff, clerks, and workers.

Similarly, other records like voters' lists, population register, service statistics,
citizenship records, records of old people, telephone directory, patients list in
hospitals, etc. are some examples of administrative records.

v. Population Register

Population register is the system of recording all the demographic events like
birth, marriage, migration, education, occupation etc. of each individual. It is
also called universal registration because it keeps all population data up to
date for each individual. It is comparatively a complex and expensive process.
It provides details about population dynamics. Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany,
Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and other several countries have
adopted this method to keep population data up to date nowadays.

2.4.2 Secondary source of population data
The population data derived from other sources like books, journals, magazines,

research reports, population monographs, administrative records etc. and made
such data available to others are called secondary sources of population data.

2.5 Factors Affecting Population Change

Population is changed due to many reasons. Population change means population
growth in most of the situations. It is because, human population is growing globally
except some rare anomalies.

Basic factors affecting population change are birth, death, migration and marriage.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 39

a) Birth

Birth is the process of being born from mother to initiate own life on the earth.
It is the main factor of population change. Birth increases the population of
family, village and the country. Birth is affected by the fecundity power of the
mother and father. It is a natural phenomenon. Birth is affected by various
factors that can be categorized as social, economic and environmental factors.
Social factors are primarily related to social status, customs, traditions, family
structure etc. The economic factors are related to poverty, status of employment
and occupational status of people. Environmental factors affecting birth
include the climatic conditions, geographical status and its impact on human
fecundity.

Factors Affecting Birth Process

→ Social Factors: Illiteracy, Early marriage, F
Polygamy, Preference to son, Family E
structure, Universal trait of marriage, High R
infant mortality, Status of female. T

→ Economic Factors: Economic status, I
Poverty, Unemployment, Occupation. L

→ Environmental Factors: Climate, Pollution I
T

Y

b) Death

Death is defined as the permanent disappearance from all the processes of life.
For all living beings, death is a definite natural phenomenon. Sooner or later
death occurs compulsorily for every individual.

When there is death, population decreases. So, it is one of the major factors
of population change in the country. Death is affected by various factors like
social, economic and environmental factors.

The social factors include illiteracy, lack of health facilities and prevalence of
diseases. The economic factors include poverty and lack of nutritious foods.
Similarly, the environmental factors like climatic conditions and natural
calamities also affect the total number of deaths. Unhealthy and bad climatic
condition is the cause of several types of chronic or fatal diseases.

5. Polarization : gathering around a certain point or a group of people.

40 Health, Population and Environment - 9

Diseases decreases average life expectancy of people that causes decrease
in population. If there is good and healthy environment, the prevalence of
diseases decreases and death rate also decreases.

Factors Affecting Death Process
Social Factors :
M
Illiteracy, Lack of health facilities, O
Disease R
Economic Factors : T
Poverty, Lack of nutritional food A
L
Environmental Factors : I
Climate, Natural calamities
T

Y

c) Migration

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another. This is an
important factor of population change. Migration is the unnatural and human-
guided phenomenon of population change. There are two types of migrations:
in-migration and out-migration. Migration may be categorized as national
migration (within one country) and international migration (between two
countries) on the basis of origin and destination of migrants.

Migration is mainly influenced by pull and push factors. Terai region of the
has the highest population share i. e. 50.27% in 2068 BS. Thus, population size

6. Hinder : to make difficult, to create obstacles and problems.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 41

is also determined by migration. Its major affecting factors are described as
below:

Factors Affecting Migration Process

Social factors : Marriage, Availability of servic- M
es and facilities: education health, transportation I
communication etc. G
Economic Factors: Employment, Fertile land R
A
Environmental Factors: Climate, Natural calami- T
ties I
O
N

In the migration process, people who go out to another place are called emigrants
(or out-migrants); and people who come to live are called immigrants (or in-
migrants). Most of the time, people come to live in search of pleasurable life,
income opportunities, and other needs of life. People want to migrate to those
places where the facilities for health and education are easily available.

d) Marriage

Marriage is a social and biological bond between a male and a female. It is an
essential process required to establish a new family and continue the dynasty.
The reproduction and production of babies is socially and legally accepted
only if the parents are married couple. Therefore, marriage is very important
demographic determinant. There are many factors affecting marriage. They are
the social norms, traditions, psychological states of people, legal provisions,
family structures etc.

In developing countries like Nepal, there are many superstitious beliefs and
blind faiths. People think that their quest to heaven after their corporal death is
assured only if they have grandchildren. Due to such faith people keep priority
on early marriage. Social norms and values also determine the decisions of
marriage in different situations. Besides, legal provisions of countries also
determine the state of marital behavior of people. In Nepal, the appropriate
age of marriage is 20 years for boys and girls both) In urgent situations and
with the consent of parents, marriage can be done at 18 years of age. Similarly,

7. Economic mobility : increased financial transactions and trades.

42 Health, Population and Environment - 9

the legal age at marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys in India) In
Bangladesh, it is 18 years and 24 years for girls and boys respectively. In Sri
Lanka and Bhutan, the legal age at marriage is 18 years for both girls and boys.

2.6 Effects of Migration

Migration is the process of movement of people from one place to another for
settlement. The first and primary effect of migration of at any place is change
in population. Population decreases in the place of origin. But, population
increases in destination place. Migration brings other secondary changes in
various aspects of the society. Some of them are described as below:

Effects of Migration
on

Social Environmental Economic Health
Aspect Aspect Aspect Aspect

a) Effects of Migration on Social Aspect

i. When people migrate from one place to another, they carry their social
traits and cultures along with them. It influences the existing social norms
and values. The originality of such norms and values declines.

ii. Basic social characteristics like languages, religions, occupations,
lifestyles, and social behaviors may differ among the indigenous people
and immigrants. That may bring social fraction and polarizations5 among
people. In this way, it breaks unity of people.

iii. On the other hand, some merits of immigrants may be useful to the society
to bring about positive changes in superstitions, traditional techniques of
health practices, other social norms and values etc.

iv. New technologies are carried with immigrants to new place, where these
may be fruitful to uplift quality of life.

v. Due to increased population in in-migrated area, there increases
unhealthy competition to achieve prestige, opportunities, services etc.
which ultimately results in increasing social disorders, evils, crimes etc.

Thus, migration affects the social aspect in positive as well as negative way.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 43

b) Effects of Migration on Environmental Aspect

Environment is a common property of
all people living in its surroundings.
As migration brings changes in total
population of both places, it leaves
some effects to the environment. The
situation of environment depends
upon population.

i. Highly populated area is mostly

found with environmental

pollution. Higher the

population, higher the amount of pollutant waste products. Therefore,

the destination place becomes more polluted due to migration.

ii. More people have more demand of industrial products and vehicles.
Such demand increases the use of fuels that causes carbon pollution in
the surroundings.

iii. Due to increase in the demand of forest products and the use of other
natural resources, ecological balance is affected adversely. This increases
the degradation of the environment.

iv. Migration of people to a certain place leads that place of destination
towards urbanization. Urbanization brings problems in sewage and
drainage management. Diffusion of fresh air and polluted air becomes
slow. Dwelling area becomes congested and unhealthy.

v. There is high chance of loss of biodiversity in the place of destination
caused by increased human encroachment due to migration.

C) Effects of Migration on Economic Aspect

The effects on economic aspect of migration in Nepal can be analyzed in
two ways. One is the effect of internal migration and other is the effect of
international migration.

i. Internally, the trend of migration from hill and mountain region to the
Terai region is found high. It affects the economic situation of hill and
mountain region adversely. Due to rapid migration from these regions,

Activity

Find any two families in your locality who have recently migrated from other
places. Ask them about the causes of their migration. Note the causes and
present your findings to your teacher.

44 Health, Population and Environment - 9

there is lack of human resources and skilled manpower. It obviously
hinders6 the development process of hill and mountain region. Main
occupation in these regions is agriculture, in which more manpower
is needed. Due to the lack of manpower in agricultural works, gross
production has been reduced. It affects the national economy adversely.

ii. International migration to Nepal from foreign countries has been a
problem for Nepal. Most of the immigrants from other countries are
skilled and they are overtaking the employment opportunities of Nepalese
people. Business and trade also seems to be controlled by immigrants in
Nepal. The immigrants take their profit and surplus to their own native
place, which certainly brings economic7 problems to Nepal.

iii. The economic mobility7 is regarded as an important factor for economic
progress of any place. Where there is high population, there is high
economic mobility. It helps in increase in consumption, production,
trade, transactions, interest rates, etc. Overall economic development is
assisted by in-migration.

iv. Immigrants always come along with their wealth and property. It
is helpful in increasing investment in various sectors. It brings new
development activities, addition of new services and facilities, as well as
new opportunities of job employment too.

v. Out-migration from a place creates loss of human resources and capital
too. This is not beneficial for any place for its economy. Controversially,
if a place is overcrowded with unemployed and unskilled population,
out-migration decreases the economic liability of the place towards those
people.

d. Effects of Migration on Health Aspect

The effects of migration are different in the place of origin and place of
destination of migrants. Migrations have both negative as well as positive
effects on health aspect. The effects on health aspect of migration are:

i. Migration brings changes in population size. When population size
increases, pollutants like dusts, smokes, toxins8 , etc. are produced more.
They cause diseases and health hazards. Therefore, the health aspect of
population is affected adversely at the destination place.

ii. High population needs more supply of health services and facilities. This
cannot be managed easily for rapidly increasing population.

8. Toxin : poisonous chemical substances.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 45

iii. Population decreases in the place of origin. This may be helpful to reduce
overexploitation of environmental components and control of pollution.
That may bring positive change in the health status of people living in
the place of origin.

iv. The place of origin loses the health personnel and efficient health workers.
The place may have further problem of lack of health manpower.

v. Over population in destination place causes high demand of food and
sometimes causes the scarcity of food too. Malnutrition is probable in
such conditions like inadequacy of food.

46 Health, Population and Environment - 9

Notes

l Population grows or declines through the interaction of three demographic
components: birth, death, and migration.

l According to UNO, ‘Demography is the scientific study of human population
primarily with respect to their size, structure, and development.’

l Formal demography is the study of human populations related to the basic
aspects of human population like its size and distribution.

l Social demography is the scientific study of people’s age, education,
residence, socioeconomic and marital status.

l There are two major sources of population data. They are primary sources
and secondary sources.

l The sources which provide the first-hand population data collected from the
concerned people themselves are known as primary sources of population
data.

l In De-facto method of census, people are counted wherever they are found.
But, in De-jure method of census, people are counted in their permanent
residence.

l Vital Registration is a legal registration, statistical recording, and
reporting of the occurrences of vital demographic events like birth, death,
marriage, miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, fetal death, divorce, annulment ,
immigration and emigration.

l Sample survey is a process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing
and publishing population data of a sampled population for generalizing
the result to the total population

l Higher the population, higher the amount of pollutant waste products.
l Where there is high population, there is high economic mobility. It helps in

increase in consumption, production, trade, transactions, interest rates, etc.
Overall economic development is assisted by in-migration.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 47

Exercises

Group "A"

Give very short answers to the following questions.
1. Define demography.
2. Write any one difference between formal demography and social

demography.
3. What do you mean by modified de-jure method of census?
4. What is primary source of population data?
5. Define sample survey.
6. Write any one method of census.
7. When was the Population Research Center established in Princeton

University?
8. Write any one social factor affecting birth.
9. Write any one economic factor affecting death.
10. Write a source of primary population data.
11. Which is the unnatural demographic component responsible for population

change?
12. Write any one example of administrative record.
13. Write one element of population composition.

Group "B"

Give short answers to the following questions.

1. What do you mean by population? Describe the features of social
demography in short.

5. What do you mean by formal demography? Explain.
3.. Which aspects of our life are severely affected by migration? Explain them

in brief.

48 Health, Population and Environment - 9

4. What do you mean by the determinants of birth? List out different
determinant factors affecting birth.

5. What are the primary sources of population data? Explain any two of them
in brief.

6. How do economic factors determine the population data? Describe briefly.
7. What is census? What aspects have been included into it?
8. What is sample survey? Discuss its utility in brief.
9. What is migration? How does migration adversely affect on the social

aspect? Write in brief.
10. Make a list of personal and household characteristics of population taken

during the census process.
11. Define census with its historical development.
12. What are sources of population data? Describe in brief.

Group "C"

Give long answers to the following questions
1. What is census? Explain the characteristic features of different types of

census.
2. Explain the primary sources of population data.
3. What are the effects of migration on economic aspects? Explain with

examples.
4. Describe the factors affecting the birth.
5. Explain in detail the factors that affect the death.
6. Describe the factors that affect internal and external migration in Nepal.

Health, Population and Environment - 9 49

3 POPULATION, ENVIRONMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT

Contents

3.1 Interrelationship among Population, Environment and
Development

3.2 Concept of Development
3.3 Indicators of Development
3.4 Concept of Human Resource Development
3.5 Process of Human Development
3.6 Challenges of Human Resource Development in Nepal

at Present and Future Perspectives

3.1 Interrelationship among Population, Environment and
Development

Population, environment, and development are interrelated with each other. People
need environmental resources to fulfill their needs. Life is almost impossible in
absence of natural resources. Similarly, they need natural resources to carry out
developmental activities. Mineral resources, water resources, forest resources, land
resources are essential to perform infrastructure development. The interrelationships
between population, environment and development can be explained with the
following points.

a) Utilization of natural resources
Development is possible only through the utilization of natural resources.

People carry out development work by exploiting the natural resources. The
exploitation of natural resources causes adverse effects on the environment.
So, if the development work is done without caring its effects, it harms the
environment. In long run, as a result, the effect of environment falls upon
human beings. So it shows that these three factors: population, environment,
and development are closely related to each other.

50 Health, Population and Environment - 9