[Population and maternal-child health in Morocco. Preliminary results of the National Survey on Population and Health. Panel 1995. Graphs with comments]

Between 1992 and 1995 the percentage of illiterate women in Morocco fell from 63% to 58%. Generally households were better off in 1995 than in 1992 (e.g. electricity and drinking water 57% vs. 49% and 55% respectively). Fertility fell from 4.2 to 3.6 and was higher in rural areas than urban areas (4.9 vs. 2.2). The proportion of unmarried women aged 15-24 has been stable since 1987 (about 90% for 15-19 years and about 60% for 20-24 years). The proportion of women who want to limit births space births and want children right away stayed approximately the same (49% 24-26% and 18-17% respectively). Contraceptive use among married women increased from 42% to 50% (rural 32-39%; urban 55-64%). In 1995 it was highest in the Center (63%) and South-Center (57%) regions and lowest in the South (37%) and the North-Center (41%) regions. Contraceptive use increased with schooling (45% for illiterate women 63% for those with primary education and 66% for those with secondary education). Between 1992 and 1995 the increase in contraceptive use was greatest among illiterate women (25% vs. 11% for those with primary and 2% for those with secondary education). In both years oral contraceptives were the primary contraceptive method (68% in 1992 and 64% in 1995). In 1992 and 1995 the major sources of modern contraceptives were dispensaries and pharmacies. Child mortality rates did not improve in Morocco between 1992 and 1995 (e.g. 76/1000 vs. 80/1000): the slight increase was due to increases in neonatal and infant mortality rates. Prenatal care by health personnel increased from 32% to 45%. Childbirth attended by health personnel also increased (31-40%). The proportion of women receiving at least one tetanus toxoid vaccination increased from 54% to 60%. Complete vaccination coverage among children increased from 76% to 85%. Fewer children had diarrhea in the last two weeks in 1995 than in 1992 (10% vs. 14%). Oral rehydration use increased from 15% to 29%. Fewer children were fully breast feeding (69-45%) and more were bottle feeding (22-31%). Most household expenses went to food (47% in 1995 and 46% in 1992).