Abstract

PIP: In the period between 1965-70 and 1980-85, fertility has declined 30% overall among developing countries from 6.0 to 4.2 children/women of childbearing age. This progress is 1/2 of the fertility decline needed to reach replacement levels. This and other information was presented at the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) World Conference of August, 1991, attended by 650 participants from 63 countries. It was the result of 36 DHS surveys in 32 developing countries over a 7-year period. In these surveys, DHS questioned over 180,000 women aged 15-49. Men were also interviewed in Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and Burundi. Research was conducted to provide information to countries useful in making policy decisions, expand international population and health data bases, and develop technical skills and resources in participating countries to undertake future surveys. Frequently chosen additional surveys modules explored the height and weight of children, service availability, and health. Observed fertility declines are quite remarkable when one considers the difficulty of challenging attitudes and behaviors about the roles of family, women, and children in many of these countries. While enormous progress has been made, continuing family planning interventions are urgently needed to quash remaining unmet need. To reduce fertility levels to replacement, present achievements must be maintained, while previously unresponsive regions and countries are targeted for change. Declines have been most marked in Eastern Asia and Latin America, while virtually no reductions have occurred across most of sub-Saharan Africa. The DHS will continue monitoring the effect of family planning programs on changing fertility.