Yemen 1991/92: Results from the Demographic and Maternal and Child Health Survey

Abstract

The results of the Yemen Demographic and Health Survey for 1991-92 are given in table form. The sample included 12,836 households and 5687 ever married women 15-49 years old and 6715 children under five years old. Illiteracy among ever married women was 94.5% in rural and 66.2% in urban areas. 2.7% in urban and 0.7% of ever married women in rural areas were literate. The total fertility rate was 7.7 children per woman during 1989-91 (8.2 in rural and 5.6 in urban areas and 8.1 among illiterates and 3.5 among women with at least a primary education). Births were highest among women 20-24 years old (286 births per 1000 women per year). The mean number of desired children increased with increasing age and corresponded well with the actual number of children ever born. 35.0% desired to stop childbearing. Desire to stop childbearing was greatest among women with 7 or more children. 48.0% desired another child at the time of the survey. Desire was greatest among women with no children. 0.9% were sterilized. 4.0% reported infecundity. 6.1% used modern methods of contraception. The public sector had the most acceptors of contraception, but private facilities were also prominent sources of supply, particularly for the pill. 53.2% knew one modern method. Among never users, 76.8% did not intend to use contraception in the future, and 1.5% intended to use a method later. The most prominent reason for nonuse was lack of knowledge (23.3%) followed by husband's opposition (15.9%) and religious prohibition (15.3%). The median age at first birth was 20.4 years. Infant mortality declined to 83 during 1987-91. 63.4% of children 12-23 months old were ever vaccinated. 34.4% of children under 5 years old had had a case of diarrhea in the 2 weeks preceding the survey. 53.2% of births were assisted by a relative or friend. 18.6% were assisted by a traditional birth attendant, and 11.0% were assisted by a doctor.