Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2000. Preliminary report.

This report presents the first findings of the 2000 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the National Statistical Office. The survey interviewed women aged 15-49 years and men aged 15-54 years from rural and urban areas to collect information on fertility childhood mortality marriage fertility preferences awareness and use of family planning methods infant feeding practices maternal and child health maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and behavior. Overall this preliminary report presents evidence of a decline in fertility rates and an increase in the use of family planning methods since the 1992 MDHS. Moreover it provides findings pointing to a decrease in infant and under-5 mortality during the 1990s. This information is intended to assist policymakers and program managers in evaluating and designing programs and strategies for improving health family planning and social services in Malawi.