Maternal, Child & Reproductive Health

Although the use of contraception among women of reproductive age in Honduras is about 65%, there are significant urban/rural and socioeconomic differences.  For example, in urban areas women have more than two children on average, while in rural areas they have more than four children.  Maternal deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are very high.  There are approximately 108 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, with 51% of these deaths occurring outside of a clinic or hospital setting. There are still major problems in health coverage and effectiveness of child health services. USAID helps the Honduran Ministry of Health to improve provision of services where the need is highest.  

USAID health program activities in maternal health focus on the support of emergency obstetric and newborn care.  The program also includes training of health care providers to use state-of-the-art interventions. In addition, USAID supports monitoring, implementation, and updating of obstetric and neo-natal medical norms and policies.

USAID’s family planning activities focus on counseling and increased access to long-term and permanent voluntary family planning methods for men and women. These methods have increased the number of years between children resulting in healthier births.

USAID also supports the Ministry of Health to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of disease control and health indicators.