[In Mali: family planning in the service of traditional values]

The development of the family planning program in Mali the 1st West African country to establish such a program is described. Since the population density is less than 10 inhabitants per sq km its purpose is to space births rather than limit population growth. 1 of the main reasons for spacing births in addition to the health risks involved in pregnancies too close to each other is the fact that in Mali children are usually breast-fed for 2 years and it has been shown that children who are breast-fed for only 1 year have twice as many chances of dying at an early age under the conditions prevailing in the country. A new pregnancy would cause breast-feeding to be stopped. Under traditional customs women refrained from sexual relations until the children were weaned but the process of urbanization and modernization has eroded traditional customs and modern contraceptive methods are now required. A pilot clinic had been operating in the capital Bamako for 3 years conducting studies and training medical and paramedical personnel. 5 new clinics were opened then in the capital and 7 more whose staff were undergoing training were to be opened by the end of 1975 thus providing family planning services in all towns with a population of over 10000.