The Union of Myanmar, Ministry of Immigration and Population, Department of Population has released the preliminary report of the Myanmar Fertility and Reproductive Health Survey carried out in 2001. This report is intended to provide timely and brief information on fertility, contraception, maternal and child health, infant and child mortality, knowledge of STDs and HIV/AIDS and internal migration. The report finds that the total fertility rate in Myanmar has dropped to 2.4 children per woman, showing a continuous decline from 2.9 children per woman in 1991 and 2.7 in 1997. While fertility of urban women has fallen well below the replacement level (1.8 children per woman), rural women still tend to have somewhat high fertility, at 2.6 children. The increase in the proportion of women remaining single has been identified as the prime determinant of fertility decline, according to the report. Other key determinants include contraceptive use, high rate of abortion/foetal wastage and long duration of breast-feeding.

The total fertility rate in Myanmar has dropped to 2.4 children per woman, according to the latest Fertility and Reproductive Health Survey.

Some 37 per cent of currently married women of reproductive age were found to be currently using any method of contraception, with an overwhelming majority (33 per cent) using modern methods. The injection was the most prevalent method used by 15 per cent of currently married women, closely followed by the pill (9 per cent) and female sterilization (5 per cent). While the intrauterine device (IUD) and male sterilization were used by 1.9 and 1.3 per cent of women or their husbands, respectively, the use of condoms was negligible.

The survey revealed that the percentage of pregnancies receiving antenatal care from nurses and midwives reached 63 per cent in 2001, a significant rise from 50 per cent in 1991. On the contrary, the percentage of pregnancies receiving care from traditional birth attendants was reduced by half, from 14 per cent in 1991 to 7 per cent in 2001. While 57 per cent of the deliveries were attended by health professionals (doctors and nurses/midwives), a sizable proportion of the deliveries were attended by traditional birth attendants (39 per cent). The survey also indicated that a majority of the deliveries took place at home (83 per cent) while 14 per cent of the deliveries occurred at hospital.

The survey recorded an infant mortality rate of 70.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2001, a significant drop from 94 in 1991. The infant mortality rate is slightly higher in rural areas (71.8 per 1,000) as compared to 66.2 in urban areas. Similarly, male babies have a somewhat higher risk of dying during infancy (84.9 per 1,000) than female babies (55.9 per 1,000).

The survey also collected information from both ever-married and never-married women on knowledge of STDs and HIV/AIDS. It was found that 92 per cent of the ever- married women aged 15 to 49 had heard of HIV/AIDS and among them 86 per cent knew the ways of prevention. The knowledge and ways to prevent HIV/AIDS were equally high among never-married women, with 93 per cent of never-married women aged 15 to 34 having heard of HIV/AIDS and 87 per cent of them knowing the ways to prevent.

Note: For more information on the report or to obtain a copy, contact UNFPA Country Office, Myanmar, Mr. Najib M. Assifi, No. 6, Natmauk Road, P.O. Box 650, Yangoon, Myanmar, tel/fax: (95-1) 546 029 or e-mail: myanmar.office@unfpa.org