[Contraception: current and future use. Provincial data]

Results are presented from the PAPCHILD national study on maternal and child health conducted by Morocco s Minister of Health in 1996/97. This survey-based study involving 45000 nationally representative households collected data by place of residence region and for selected provinces. The study was undertaken to determine indicators for fertility infant mortality and contraception by province with the goal of facilitating the improved evaluation and planning of programs designed to improve maternal and child health. Data are presented at the provincial level on the past use of contraception actual use contraceptive structure the intent to practice contraception preferred contraceptive methods and the desire to bear additional children. In all provinces except Quarzazate at least half of the women have never used contraception. Contraceptive prevalence among married women in Morocco s provinces ranges from 33.9% in Al-Hoceima to 79.1% in Mohammadia. The contraceptive prevalence rate exceeds 50% in 45 provinces. At the national level 70% of married women among those who practice any method use oral contraception. However considerable variation exists in contraceptive structure by province. Other women use IUDs traditional methods tubal ligation and injectable methods. 45% of women in Morocco who use no contraception plan to do so in the future. The desire to bear no additional children varies by province. At the national level 53% of married women desire to bear no additional children.