Childhood mortality increasing in Zambia
Newsletter 6(1): 4-5
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 1049-2364 PMID: 12287323 Document Number: 282312
The 1992 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey revealed high and rising infant and child mortality. Child mortality affected one in five children. The infant mortality rate was 107/1000 live births. The 15% mortality increase between 1972-77 and 1992 was due to declining economic conditions, increasing undernutrition, problems in delivery of medical care, and the increasing prevalence of AIDS. About 40% of children aged under 5 years were stunted. Only 11% of infants aged two to three months were breast fed. 50% of infants were delivered at home with medical assistance. About 66% of mothers aged under 19 years were having or have had their first child. AIDS was a major health problem. 90% of women were aware of sexual transmission. Only 62% of women considered AIDS preventable, of whom 90% were aware of the importance of having only one partner. Only 8% knew that condoms prevent AIDS. Current contraceptive use was reported by 15% of married women; 9% of married women used a modern method. Over 22% did not want any more children. 41% desired the spacing of children by two or more years. 33% of married women did not use a method yet desired no more children or wanted to wait at least two years before having another child. The total fertility rate was 6.5 children. 66% of children aged 12-23 months were fully immunized. 4% did not have any immunization. Most mothers received tetanus toxoid during pregnancy. The full report of findings is available. The sample was nationally representative and included 7060 women aged 15-49 years.