MANAGING POPULATION GROWTH IN THE GAMBIA Total Fertility
MANAGING POPULATION GROWTH IN THE GAMBIA Total Fertility rate (average number of live births per woman): 1996: 7 2000: 6 2005: 5. 2 2012: 4. 10 2014: 3. 85 Population Growth Rate: 1993 = 4. 2% 2005 = 3. 0% 2010 = 2. 4%
1. How to increase use of contraception? : Ø Widespread contraception education programme, with awareness raising TV and radio broadcasts, posters etc. Ø Contraceptives provided by charities (with distribution by jeep/motorbike to remote areas). Cost of pharmacy-bought contraceptives, subsidised by the government; Ø Religious leaders agreed to encourage the use of contraceptives. 2. How to improve post-natal medical care (to reduce infant mortality): Ø Nurses and clinics providing nationwide post-natal vaccinations against 6 common, preventable diseases; Ø Parents better educated about post-natal health requirements Ø More mosquito nets given out by charities
3. “Spacing” – parents taught about spacing and its benefits – leaving 3 -4 years in between children, instead of 1 -2. This leads to stronger, healthier mothers and babies, reduced infant and maternal mortality and lower birth rates. Better diets, living conditions and education for the smaller number of children = benefits are all; 4. School-based education campaigns (raising awareness but also removing the traditional social taboo about talking about sex): “Say no to early sex” “Too young to be a mother”
5. Community forestry projects Ø An attempt to increase the country´s firewood supplies and to reduce the damaging consequences of decades of deforestation; Ø Villagers develop nurseries to grow saplings in; Ø Protected area planted with saplings. When these reach full size, they are cleared selectively
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