Fertility Remains Elevated in Guatemala; One in Three Births are Unplanned

Abstract

This report provides key findings from the 1995 Guatemala Demographic and Health Survey on fertility reproductive preferences knowledge and use of contraception maternal and child health and AIDS. The sample included 12403 women aged 15-49 years and the 9150 children born to these women in the 5 years preceding the survey. The total fertility rate in the 3 years preceding the survey was 5.1 children/woman a 10% decline from 1987. Fertility was 1.8 among college-educated women and 7.1 among uneducated women. Indigenous women had fertility of 6.8 compared to 4.3 among Ladinos. Rural fertility was higher than urban fertility. Population was about 10 million in 1995. The annual rate of growth was 2.6%. 35% of population lived in urban areas. 33% of population was indigenous and 66% was of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. 28% of women had no schooling; 47% had a primary education. 28% were unmarried; 42% were in a formal union; and 22% were in a consensual union. The least educated women had their first sexual experience at about 17 years of age compared to 24 years of age for the most educated women. 51% of women had had sexual intercourse in the 4 weeks preceding the interview. Median age at first birth varied widely by educational level. The ideal family size was 3.6 children. Uneducated women desired 2 more children than educated women. Fertility would decline by 22% if women had their ideal number of children. 70% of births were wanted. Unwanted childbearing rose with maternal age. 53% desired no more children of whom 16% were already sterilized. 5% were infertile. 27% were currently using contraception but 82% knew of at least one modern method. 76% used contraception to stop childbearing. 14% were sterilized 3.8% used the pill and 3.6% used the rhythm method. Infant and child mortality declined. AIDS knowledge and prevention were limited.