Population, public health and tubal ligation in Vanuatu

The association between population growth and public health is often neglected. Between 1989 and 1999 Vanuatu's population grew by 30%. Unless this growth slows existing public health problems will worsen. To gain insight into family planning habits 111 ni-Vanuatu women undergoing tubal ligation were surveyed. 85% had 4, or more, children. Women resident on the outer islands had more children than those on the island containing the nation's capital. The implication is that ni-Vanuatu women perceive 4 children as desirable. With approximately half the population entering their reproductive years in the next decade this is too many to avoid a population explosion in Vanuatu. Public health campaigns must promote the benefits of a small family. Urgent education and widespread provision of effective family planning is required to avoid a future public health crisis. Aid donors need to be made aware of this as an absolute priority.