ABSTRACT
PIP: The total number of consultations in Tunisia's public sector family planning program increased from 12,620 in 1964, its 1st year, to 501,000 in 1977 and 923,000 in 1986. The number of new acceptors increased from 6160 in 1964 to 86,000 in 1984. IUDs are the most used method, followed by oral contraceptives (OCs), may of which are supplied in the private sector. Abortion, although not a contraceptive method, occupies the 3rd place after IUDs and pills. The proportion of abortions per 1000 births increased from 63.3 in 1974 to 94 in 1983. The National Office of the Family and Population does not promote abortion, but does not want to encourage illegal abortions by not providing services. More than 137,000 women have been sterilized since 1964. The average number of sterilizations annually between 1982-86 was 9652. The number of new acceptors has increased in all regions in recent years, with the biggest gains in the Center West and South regions. The Center West region still has the lowest prevalence rates in Tunisia. The total fertility rate in the Center West region is 5.9 vs. 4.7 for the nation. The Northeast region has the highest relative rate of acceptance. In the 1st 9 months of 1986 and 1987 respectively, there were 87,125 and 90,294 new acceptors of all methods, 50,103 and 55,191 new IUD insertions, 20,515 and 24,283 new pill acceptors, 22,654 and 20,476 new acceptors of condoms and spermicides, 9449 and 12,723 tubal ligations, and 19,994 and 20,819 abortions. The proportion of fertile-aged married women using modern contraceptive methods increased from 24,7% in 1978 to 40% in 1987. 37.1% of rural women and 43.7% of urban women used a modern method. The proportion using any method increased between 1978-87 from 20.3% to 41.5% in rural areas and from 31.4% to 52.1% in all areas. 61.7% of urban women used a method in 1987. The proportion of contraceptive users served by the public sector declined from 81% in 1978 to 71% in 1987. Most IUDs and tubal ligations are obtained in the public sector. The average age of new acceptors of all methods was 33 years in 1967. In 1974-76 and 1986 respectively, the average age was 29 and 27.6 for the IUD, 28.8 and 28.5 for pills, 35 in both years for tubal ligation, and 30.3 and 29.9 for all methods. The average number of living children in 1975 and 1986 respectively was 3.8 and 2.8 for the IUD, 3.6 and 3.0 for pills, 5.9 and 5.5 for tubal ligation, and 4.1 and 3.6 for all methods.^ieng
