Sylhet's fertility rate 1percent higher than the national

Fertility rate in Sylhet is 3.7 percent, 1 percent higher than the national fertility rate, due to lower use of contraceptives, finds a study.
The division's birth-to-birth interval (of 24 months) rate is also 11 percent higher than the national rate of 26 percent. Use of contraceptives among women is only 31 percent in this division, 25 percent lower than the national rate.
The research titled "Healthy Fertility Study" was conducted by the US-based non-government organisation, ACCESS-FP, Bloomerg School of Public Health and Shimantik with the support of USAID.
The findings were disseminated at a meeting yesterday jointly organised by Health and Family Welfare Department of Sylhet and Healthy Fertility Study Team at Hotel Westin in the city.
Salahuddin Ahmed, Dr Saifuddin Ahmed and Catherine McKaig of the study team presented the research paper, which focused on integration of family planning, relevant materials and health services for the newborn in Sylhet division.
The study says the time between two births is also higher in Sylhet than any other divisions of the country. The gap of two consecutive births is estimated to be less than 24 months, it says.
The study found the reasons behind higher growth rate to be illiteracy, early marriage and lack of awareness among the poor people, especially women.
In that region, 26 percent of couples remain out of family planning, which is 9 percent higher than the national rate.
The research said although many women want to delay pregnancy, they fail to help themselves because of socio economic reasons.
They have limited decision-making powers regarding use of contraceptives, limited access to health services and misconceptions on the side effects of using contraceptives.
Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali, adviser to the prime minister, said, "To ensure family planning services equitably across Bangladesh, we, as a community must focus more efforts in Sylhet through the government and civil society in partnership."
Director General of Family Planning, Dilruba, was also present.