ew
The key data items to note are: a) 47.7% of the total populatiogq
are under 15
years of age (59% under 20 years of age), b) only 8.6% of the pbpulation are
over 55 years of age, and c) 74.1% of all females are under 30
These
data
show that
pregnant women, children,
the main target groups
and young people.
ypars of age.
for health care are
The biologidal
potential
(fecundity) of this young population is also highly apparent.
Though it
would seem that health care problems of the elderly would belminor, it is
not quite the case here as in many developing countries becausp of the much
higher than normal incidences of specific chronic diseases i.e.idiabetes and
hypertension (discussed later).
Other
key
vital
|
statistics
for the Marshall
Islands
[in
1976
are
summarized below (Source: TTPI Five Year Comprehensive Health phan, April 1,
1980)
Crude birth rate
31.1
Crude death rate
4.2
Infant mortality rate = 17.9*
Maternal mortality rate = 27.0 (1974-1976)
R. Natural Increase = 26.9
*Infant mortality would probably be in the upper 20's ta low 30's if
there were better reporting.
Also a child is historically|considered a
_ live birth only after his first birthday.
In general the Marshall Islands do not compare badly with mamy developing
countries in “infant mortality" yet it still is significant.
natural
increase"
jis quite
planning are obvious.
considerably.
is
though.
The
implicationg
for
family
Unfortunately the level of family stand ing services
delivered has been low.
among males
high
[The "rate of
low to
Perception of need for family planrfing services
non-existent,
though
women's
percepfions
differ
The need for better integration of family panning into
ongoing maternal and child health services needs to be done, aq
well as the
development of a concerted culturally sensitive educational campaign.
The
geographical
distribution
of
the
population
demographic factor to consider in health care delivery.
is
Jalso
a
key
(Seef
Table 3) In
1977 it was estimated that 57% of the total population resided
@ither in the
“district center" (Majuro - 10,087 or 39%) or in the “subdistrict center"
(Ebeye - 18% or 4,577).
Arno atoll classifies as an “interma@diate zone",
and had 1,199 inhabitants or 5% of the population (it lifes just]
35 mites by
water from Majuro); while the remainder of the atolls or “outer islands”
contained 38% of the population or a total of 9,594.
The mapjon the next
page gives the last known totals of inhabitants by atoll] as
distances from Majuro.
well as water
3
As