PDF, 1536K - Measure DHS

The majority of the population lives in the
highland areas of the country. The main
occupation of the settled population is farming,
while in the lowland areas, the mostly pastoral
population moves from place to place with their
livestock in search of grass and water.
Christianity and Islam are the main religions;
51 percent of the population are Orthodox
Christians, 33 percent are Muslims, and
10 percent are Protestants. The rest follow a
diversity of other faiths. The country is home to
about 80 ethnic groups that vary in population
size from more than 18 million to less than 100
(CSA, 1998).
Table 1.1 Basic demographic indicators
Demographic indicators from various sources, Ethiopia
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1984 1994
Indicator Census 1 Census 2
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Population (millions) 42.6 53.5
Intercensal growth rate (percent) 3.1 2.9
Density (per square km.) 34.0 48.6
Percent urban 11.4 13.7
Life expectancy
Male 51.1 50.9
Female 53.4 53.5
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1 Including Eritrea; CSA, 1991
2 CSA, 1998
1.3 HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING
The health system in Ethiopia is underdeveloped, and transportation problems are severe. The
majority of the population resides in the rural areas and has little access to any type of modern health
institution. It is estimated that about 75 percent of the population suffers from some type of
communicable disease and malnutrition, which are potentially preventable (TGE, 1995). There was no
health policy up through the 1950s; however, in the early 1960s, a health policy initiated by the World
Health Organization (WHO) was adopted. In the mid-1970s, during the Derg regime, an elaborate
health policy with emphasis on disease prevention and control was formulated. This policy gave priority
to rural areas and advocated community involvement (TGE, 1993a). At present, the government health
policy takes into account population dynamics, food availability, acceptable living conditions, and other
requisites essential for health improvements (TGE, 1993a). The present health policy arises from the
fundamental principle that health constitutes physical, mental, and social well-being for the enjoyment
of life and for optimal productivity. To realize this objective, the government has established the Health
Sector Development Program, which incorporates a 20-year health development strategy, through a
series of 5-year investment programs (MOH, 1999). This program calls for the democratization and
decentralization of health services; development of preventive health care; capacity building within the
health service system; equitable access to health services; self-reliance; promotion of intersectoral
activities and participation of the private sector, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and
cooperation and collaboration with all countries in general and neighboring countries in particular and
between regional and international organizations (TGE, 1993a).
Population policies had been accorded a low priority in Ethiopia prior to the early 1990s. After
the end of the Derg regime, the Transitional Government adopted a national population policy in 1993
(TGE, 1993b). The primary objective of the population policy was to harmonize the rate of population
growth with socioeconomic development to achieve a high level of welfare. The main long-term
objective was to close the gap between high population growth and low economic productivity and to
expedite socioeconomic development through holistic integrated programs. Other objectives included
preserving the environment and reducing rural-urban migration and reducing morbidity and mortality,
particularly infant and child mortality. More specifically, the population policy targeted a reduction in
the total fertility rate from 7.7 children per woman in 1990 to 4.0 children per woman in 2015 and an
increase in contraceptive prevalence from 4 percent in 1990 to 44 percent in 2015 (TGE, 1993b). Family
planning and related services and information are disseminated to the population through community
organizations and women’s and youth groups.
2 * Introduction