CHILD SPACING AND 2 CHILD POLICY IN PRACTICE IN RURAL VIETNAM - CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Objective-To explore the reproductive pattern of women in rural Vietna m in relation to the existing family planning policies and laws. Desig n-Cross sectional survey with questionnaires on reproductive history. Setting-Tien Hai, a district in Red River Delta area, where the popula tion density is one of the highest in Vietnam. Subjects-1132 women who had at least one child under 5 years of age in April 1992. Main outco me measures-Birth spacing and probability of having a third child. Res ults-The mean age at first birth was 22.2 years. The average spacing b etween the first and the second child was 2.6 years. Mothers with a lo wer educational level, farmers, and women belonging to the Catholic re ligion had shorter spacing between the first and second child and also a higher probability of having a third child. In addition, women who had no sons or who had lost a previous child were more likely to have a third child. Conclusion-Most families do not adhere to the official family planning policy, which was introduced in 1988, stipulating that each couple should have a maximum of two children with 3-5 years' spa cing in between. More consideration should be given to family planning needs and perceptions of the population, supporting the woman to be i n control of her fertility. This may imply improved contraceptive serv ices and better consideration of sex issues and cultural differences a s well as improved social support for elderly people.