Health,Family Planning and Population Growth

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which health objectives of large-scale family planning programs coincide, reinforce or run counter to national policies aimed at reducing population growth. Several variables have been found to be associated with higher rates of maternal and infant mortality: maternal age over 35, parities of over 4, close spacing of births, and unwanted pregnancy. The health objectives of family planning are directed toward avoiding such births. This paper suggests that, at least in countries with high levels of mortality, avoidance of such pregnancies would result in considerably increased infant survival, and in reduction of maternal deaths. In population terms, however, the resultant growth would be more than offset by the simultaneous lowering of the birth rate. The indirect effects of providing family planning care in the health services are discussed in relation to policies aimed at limiting population growth.