Abstract:
Data from the six Jordan Population and
Family Health Surveys (JPFHS) carried out in
1990, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2012 were
used to describe trends in Jordan over an
interval of more than 20 years. Trends are
presented for demographic, social and
household indicators; fertility rates and
fertility intentions; family planning;
maternal and adult health; and child health.
Tests of statistical significance were
applied to the observed differences between
the surveys for each indicator. Many
indicators appeared to be changing
significantly in the direction of
improvements, such as household density,
education level of ever-married women,
fertility rates, number of ante-natal care
visits, premarital exams, and child
immunization. Some indicators showed no
significant change between the most recent
surveys—for example, the interval between
births, use of modern contraception, unmet
need for limiting births, anemia in children,
child mortality, and stunting. Some
indicators are moving significantly in a
contrary direction, particularly between the
most recent surveys—for example, delivery by
C-section, anemia in women, obesity, smoking
by women, underweight and wasting in
children.