Survey report: Senegal

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Senegal faces high fertility and infant mortality rates.
• Rapid urbanization and rural-to-urban migration are driven by agricultural challenges and population growth.
• Child health issues are prevalent, linked to poor sanitation and nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze preliminary findings from the 1986 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
• To assess trends in fertility, family planning use, and child health indicators.
• To understand factors influencing contraceptive adoption and vaccination coverage.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 1986 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
• Collected information from 4,415 women aged 15-49 regarding family planning and child health.
• Measured height and weight of children aged 6-36 months.

Main Results:

• A slight decline in the birth rate is suggested, with a total fertility rate (TFR) potentially decreasing from 6.5 in 1981.
• Contraceptive use increased, but modern method use remains low (2.7% in 1986).
• Knowledge of modern contraceptives significantly increased, yet barriers like desire to become pregnant and religious objections persist.

Conclusions:

• Fertility may be slightly declining in Senegal, influenced by increased contraceptive knowledge but limited by low modern method uptake.
• Child health indicators, including vaccination card possession, show disparities, particularly between Dakar and rural areas.
• Addressing barriers to family planning and improving child health services are crucial for Senegal's demographic and health outcomes.