Internal Migration and the Use of Reproductive and Child Health Services in Peru (English)

Document Type

Working Papers

Country(s)

Peru

Language

English

Author(s)

Lekha Subaiya and Macro International Inc. Calverton, Maryland, USA

Publication Date

November 2007

Publication ID

WP38

Abstract:

Urban migrants and their children constitute 11% of the population of Peru, according to the 2000 DHS survey in Peru. Given that there are substantial differences in fertility and mortality rates between people living in urban areas and those living in rural areas, rural migrants to Peru's cities are likely to be affected by the change in residence. A better understanding of the role that internal migration plays in the use of reproductive and child health services would help inform primary health care program interventions, and advance knowledge of the migration process. This study uses data from the Peru 2000 DHS survey to investigate the relationship between rural-to-urban migration and the utilization of reproductive and child health services. The dependent variables are the following: current use of modern contraceptive methods (from institutional sources), formal and informal unions among urban women, recent antenatal care (ANC) visits by urban mothers prior to delivery, and use of health care services for children with diarrhea or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI).