Report on the public health administration of Burma : 1933.

  • Burma. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1933]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the public health administration of Burma : 1933. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/184 (page 6)
    Statement VIB. Burma record rates in excess of last year. In Upper Burma six districts record increased rates, while a similar number return rates lower than last year. Our most accurate rural statistics come from the Hlegu Health Unit area and there the birth rate was 33‘16. Particularly high rates have been returned from the following districts.—Tavoy 42'90, Sagaing 42* 15, Lower Chindwin 41*70, Shwebo 40‘05 and Pakokku 38'12. In Akyab, there was a big increase from 22‘40 to 31'21 and the explanation given by the District Health Officer is that the counterfoils were sent direct to township officers by headmen, instead of through the police-stations as was done in previous years. Very loiv rates were returned from :—Thayetmyo 14‘43, Bassein 16*96, Thaton 18'27, Toungoo 2075 and Pegu 21'08. The collapse in registration in Thayetmyo district which occurred during the rebellion has not yet been put right, and energetic action is now required to ensure that each headman is provided with a register. Up to the rebellion the Thayetmyo figures had been very satisfactory, and it is to be hoped that 1934 will see a return to the old standard. 12. Birth Rate (Urban) 32*01.- Year. fed Number of births in towns. Rate. 1928 36,770 29*33 1929 39,615 31*60 1930 39 707 31*67 1931 41,824 29*67 1932 43,968 31*20 Quinquennial mean • • • 30*68 1933 45,212 32*01 The birth rate of 32 01 is the highest yet recorded being 0*81 more than the previous year and 1*33 over the five-year mean. It is difficult to assess how much of the increase is genuine and how much is to be ascribed to better registration. The following towns recorded the highest birth rates :— Mandalay 55*58, Shwebo 47*58, Taungdwingyi 47*37, Maymyo 46*06, Meiktila 44*39, Monywa 44*26, Ye-u 43*06, Kawkareik 43*04. In Mandalay and Maymyo the exclusion this year of the figures from cantonments with their predominantly male population accounts for an increase. In Taungdwingyi the Health Visitor appointed by the Child Welfare Society has helped to improve registration during her home inspections.