Survey report. Jamaica.

PIP: This article is a summary of the Jamaican Contraceptive Prevalence Survey (JCPS). As a brief survey report on Jamaica, it states the past fertility rates of Jamaica, the pertinent present fertility rates in correlation with family planning prevalence, and the health education levels of Jamaican women. JCPS found that the total fertility rate between 1983 and 1989 fell from 3.5 to 2.9 children per woman. More than 90% of women interviewed knew of modern contraceptive methods and 55% of all women in union are using contraception. Most mothers giving birth within the past 5 years received antenatal care and more than 90% were attended by health personnel. Nearly all women breastfeed offspring and the average duration is 13 months. About 2/3 received a tetanus injection. JCPS analyzed Jamaican women's knowledge of AIDS and 14% of these women self-assessed themselves as high risk individuals. Although most women correctly understood possible routes of AIDS transmission, misconceptions were common (e.g. 58% believe giving a blood donation is an AIDS risk, 35% thought insect bites could transmit the virus, 16% feared sharing personal items, and 8% said being in a room with an AIDS victim was a risk behavior).^ieng