New Born Death Rate decreased in Morocco Between 1995 and 2003

The death rate at birth decreased to 227 per 100,000 births between 1995 and 2003 in Morocco, according to the first findings of the study on population and family health conducted from October 2003 through March 2004;

The study, noting the death rate at birth was 187 and 267 per 100,000, in urban and rural zones, respectively, added infant mortality rate stood at five deaths per 100 for children below five years.

The immunisation campaigns carried out by Morocco have enabled vaccinate the majority of children against killer diseases, with an immunisation rate of 89 percent (rural) and 94 percent (urban) for children aged 12 to 23 months, the study shows adding the immunisation have contributed to the low death figures.

Women fertility is maximal between the age of 30 to 34, the study said noting fertility is higher in rural than in urban zones for all age groups.

Family members number has decreased from 5.9 to 2.5 per family between the early eighties and 2000, the study said adding the decrease is ascribed to marriage delaying, expansion of birth control during the past 20 years reaching 63 percent among women of reproductive age.

The study also shows that 85 percent of pregnant women in urban areas visit a gynaecologist at least once during pregnancy compared to 48 percent rural areas.