Changes in Chad: the results of a XXXX survey.

@entity1 @entity25108
This, the 1st @entity25108 survey to be conducted in Chad, surveyed 1222 @entity1 aged 12-49 at 6 health or social centers in N'Djamena in 1988, and summarized the information obtained from 21 focus groups. The sujbects were 25 years old on average; 94% were in union; 33% were in polygamous marriages, usually older @entity1 . 8% of Muslims and 17% of Christians were in a consensual union. Educational achievement was higher among younger @entity1 and Christians. 49% had income from the informal economy. Most valued the economic advantages of large families, which they believed resided in ancestors. Some noted the poulation pressures of urban living. 27% stated they were pregnant. Fertility was lower among Christians and those in monogamous marriages. @entity1 of higher socioeconomic status had more @entity1 . Average age of 1st pregnancy was 16 years, lower in Muslims and uneducated @entity1 . Average weaning age was 17.8 months; average postpartum abstinence was 4.6 months, longer among Christians. The mean desired birth spacing interval was 26 months. 89% desired more @entity1 . The average ideal family size was 7.25, 8.6 for those 29 years old. The concept of birth planning was new to most, and ocnsidered a European idea contrary to African traditions. 31% could name a modern birth control method, increased to 58% with prompting, but only 3.2% had used one, and 1.3% were currently using. The cost of modern contraceptives is prohibitive for Chadians whose average GNP is  129. 56% expressed an interest on modern contraception for spacing, indicating a large unmet need.
