User:Kkkaih/MALI

Mali's High Fertility Rate
Mali faces several problems which are obstructing them from attaining economic growth. One of the most pressing problems is that of its high fertility rate. With an average Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 6.52 from 2005 to 2010, Mali ranks 8th on the UN TFR ranking; this means that an average of more than 6 children are be born to a Mali woman in her entire lifetime which inevitably leads to a population figure the country’s resources will not be able to provide for. High fertility rates inevitably lead to a population figure that exerts great stress on the country’s resources.

Mali’s health and development indicators rank among the worst in the world. With rapid population growth fueled by high birth rates, the Mali government faces an uphill task of providing sufficient basic health care for its citizens. The result of this is a country plagued with infectious diseases like cholera and tuberculosis. This is evident as Mali’s health and development indicators rank among the worst in the world. Inadequate hygiene and sanitation also contribute to the widespread diseases in Mali. In 2002, only an estimated 62–65% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 69% to sanitation services. These are indications that the resources available in the country are not able to keep up with the large population.

High fertility rates put a strain on educational resources. Both the quality and quantity of educational resources available for each child decline as birth rates increase and there might be insufficient resources to cater to the large proportion of youth. The result is a vicious cycle in poverty as a lack of education undermines the population’s ability to be an efficient workforce.

Continuous child-bearing means that women are often deprived of the opportunity to get proper education hence having unequal opportunities at employment. In Mali, literacy levels are lower for women than for men. The adult female literacy rate is 58% that of males as of 2005-2008. Lack of education for women also means a lack of knowledge on family planning methods and thus the continuously high fertility rates and high maternal mortality rates. Contraceptive prevalence rate is 8% as of 2005-2009.

With unfavorable living conditions, productivity of the country is highly compromised. A fall in birth rates can ease the strain on the country’s resources and improve overall living conditions so as to create a more efficient and productive workforce.

SALIN Project in Mali
With support from the Dutch Government under the Strategic Alliance with International Non-Governmental Organisations (SALIN), Population Services International(PSI) undertook a 30 month project, from July 2008, aimed at meeting post-partum family planning needs, increasing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and decreasing maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Mali. This was in line with Millennium Development Goal 5. Family planning can help time and space pregnancies or prevent unwanted pregnancies, hence reduce maternal mortality.

Mali women of reproductive age have little knowledge on family planning methods and are largely unaware of the health benefits of family planning. Mali’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 6% was among the lowest worldwide and had stagnated since 2001, with the exception of the capital, Bamako, where the CPR decreased from 19% to 16% from 2001 to 2006. At least one in 25 women in Mali die from pregnancy-related causes or resulting lifelong complications. There is also limited access to long acting family planning methods.

Clinic event days were designed to promote family planning. While women waited to have their child immunised on immunisation days, the midwife and the clinic personnel give a 30-45 minute presentation on the importance of family planning as well as the various options of contraceptives available. Women were encouraged to raise concerns and the discussions helped to dispel common misconceptions. PSI also provided a subsidy for the women who chose to receive a long acting contraception method, increasing access to and affordability of family planning.

As of 31st October 2010, a total of 1,666 health talk sessions were held and 69,055 women were reached. Also, 1,396 intrauterine devices (IUD) and 14,547 contraceptive implants were inserted. The intrauterine device (IUD) provides protection from unintended pregnancies for up to 12 years and the implant for up to 5 years.