Women living in poorest households have two times higher fertility rates compared to women living in richest households.

This is according to a 2021 survey by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.

The Fiji Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) was carried out in 2021 by the bureau in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and other government ministries.

It revealed that adolescent fertility among girls living in the poorest households was 10 times higher compared to girls living in richest households.

The report found the experience of having a live birth before 18 years was higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

Psychologist

Renowned psychologist Selina Kuruleca said this was consistent with the global trend that women and girls with lower socioeconomic status would bear more children.

The issues, she said, were low education rate, not having enough money for family planning and marrying or being in a relationship with someone from the same socioeconomic background which was highly likely so they both think the same way.

“The educated woman has more power to realise her potential, control her body, control her pregnancies, and effectively contribute to policies that benefit her and her children,” she said.

Local psychologist Selina Kuruleca in Suva on August 3, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Report

The report stated that 31 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 years use modern family planning methods.

“Adolescent fertility differed according to education and household wealth. For instance, adolescent fertility is four times higher among adolescent girls with secondary education compared to adolescent girls with tertiary or vocational education,” read the report.

For unprotected sex, the report found that 81 per cent among women aged 15 to19 years do not use contraceptive method, with 68 per cent of women aged 320-24 years not using the same method either.

Moreover, it was also reported that above two thirds of women aged 15 to 49 years do not use any type of contraceptive method, regardless of their level of education or wealth quintile.

The existing solution to this, however, is very low. Only 10 per cent of women between the age of 15 to 49 years have engaged in family planning.

Meanwhile, the report surveyed a total of 6000 households including 1,980 from Central Division, 480 from Central/Eastern Division, 1,160 from Northern Division and 2,380 from Western Division.

Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj