Reproductive Health Survey 1997 (Moldova)

Abstract

The survey was specifically designed to meet the following objectives:
-to assess the current situation in Moldova concerning fertility, abortion, contraception and various other reproductive health issues;
-to enable policy makers, program managers, and researchers to evaluate and improve existing programs and to develop new strategies;
-to measure changes in fertility and contraceptive prevalence rates and study factors that affect these changes, such as geographic and socio-demographic factors, breast-feeding patterns, use of induced abortion, and availability of family planning;
-to provide data necessary to develop sex education and health promotion programs;
-to obtain data on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of young adults 15-24 years of age;
-to provide information on the level of knowledge about AIDS transmission and prevention;
-to identify and focus further reproductive health studies toward high risk groups.

The survey provides data that will assist the Moldovan Government in improving services related to the health of women and children and was proposed in conjunction with the UNFPAsponsored reproductive health (RH) activities in Moldova, which consist of several components intended to increase the use of effective contraception, reduce the reliance on induced abortion as a means of fertility control, and, more generally, to improve RH. Specific projects supported by UNFPA in Moldova include ongoing support to the Government for developing a national RH plan, provisions of contraceptives, and training of family planning providers. In addition, the national RH plan is receiving support from USAID (family planning logistics management, information/ education/communication activities), IPPF (provision of contraceptives), and UNICEF.