Sri Lanka

1 Sri LankaDemographic and health Survey2006-07 Sri Lanka 2006-07 demographic and health survey Sri Lanka demographic and health survey 2006-07 Department of Census and Statistics Colombo, Sri Lanka health Sector Development Project Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition Colombo, Sri Lanka April 2009 The 2006-07 Sri Lanka demographic and health survey (SLDHS) was carried out by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) for the health Sector Development Project (HSDP) of the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition in collaboration with The World Bank.

2 Technical support for the survey was provided by Macro International Inc., USA. The objective of the survey was to provide data to monitor and evaluate the impact of population, health , and nutrition programmes implemented by different government agencies. Additionally the survey aimed at measuring the impact of interventions made under the HSDP in improving the quality and efficiency of health care services as a whole. Additional information about the 2006-07 SLDHS may be obtained from the Department of Census and Statistics, 15/12 Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka , Telephone: (94) 11-268-2176 or (94) 11-269-2291; Fax: (94) 11-269-7594; Internet: Recommended citation: Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition (MOH).

3 2009. Sri Lanka demographic and health survey 2006-07. Colombo, Sri Lanka : DCS and MOH. Contents | iii CONTENTS Page TABLES AND ix PREFACE .. xv xvii SUMMARY OF xix MAP OF SRI xxiv CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION de Silva and Bandara Historical Background and Geography of the Country ..1 Climatic Country health Policies and Family Planning Policies and demographic and health Surveys in Sri Lanka .

4 3 survey Implementation ..4 Sample Training ..6 Fieldwork ..7 Data Processing ..8 Results of the survey CHAPTER 2 HOUSEHOLD POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS Dharma Dissanayake and de Silva Household Population by Age and Household Composition.

5 11 Education of Household Members ..11 Educational School Attendance Rates ..14 Household Drinking Household Sanitation Facilities ..17 Housing Household Possessions ..19 Wealth Index.

6 20 Birth CHAPTER 3 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS Vidyaratne Characteristics of survey Respondents ..23 Educational Attainment by Background Characteristics ..23 Access to Mass Media ..27 iv Contents Occupation ..31 Earnings and Type of health Insurance Coverage ..33 Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Smoking.

7 35 CHAPTER 4 FERTILITY LEVELS, TRENDS, AND DIFFERENTIALS Gunasekera Introduction ..37 Current Fertility ..37 Fertility Differentials by Background Characteristics ..38 Fertility Trends ..42 Children Ever Born and Living ..43 Birth Intervals ..45 Age at First Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood.

8 49 CHAPTER 5 FAMILY PLANNING Jayakody Knowledge of Contraceptive Methods ..52 Ever Use of Family Planning Current Use of Contraceptive Methods ..55 Differentials in Contraceptive Use by Background Characteristics ..56 Trends in Contraceptive Use ..58 Contraceptive Method Mix ..60 Number of Children at First Use of Contraception ..61 Use of Social Marketing Contraceptive Knowledge of Fertile Period.

9 63 Timing of Source of Contraception ..64 Informed Choice ..65 Contraceptive Discontinuation ..67 Future Use of Contraception ..68 Reasons for Not Intending to Use ..69 Exposure to Family Planning Messages ..69 Contact of Nonusers with Family Planning Providers ..71 Husband's Knowledge of Women s Contraceptive Use.

10 71 CHAPTER 6 OTHER PROXIMATE DETERMINANTS OF FERTILITY Bandara Current Marital 73 Age at First Marriage .. 74 Age at First Sexual Intercourse .. 77 Recent Sexual Activity .. 78 Postpartum Amenorrhoea, Abstinence, and Insusceptibility .. 80 Menopause .. 81 Contents | v CHAPTER 7 FERTILITY PREFERENCES de Silva Desire for More 83 Need for Family Planning Services.