RESUMEN
PIP: Nicaragua's previously moderate population growth accelerated after 1940 because of better health care and sanitary practices. Today the death rate is 6/1000, and birth rates remain high at 33/1000; natural increase equals 2.7% per year. Life expectancy for men and women is 62 and 68, respectively. 45% of the population is younger than 15 years. The total fertility rate is 4.6. It is higher among women with no formal education (6.9), and among rural women (6.4). 53% of women are pregnant or have at least 1 child by age 19. 35% of births occur within 2 years of an earlier birth. Although 97% of women aged 15-49 know about at least 1 form of modern contraception, only 49% who were in a union during 1992-1993 used a contraceptive. Rural women, especially those with lower educational status, have the least experience with contraceptives; 63% of urban women report contraceptive use, in comparison to 33% of rural women. Mortality rates for infants (49/1000) and children (72/1000) have decreased. The main causes of infant death are trauma or asphyxia at birth, and complications associated with premature or low-weight babies; those for children are dehydration (from diarrhea), acute respiratory infections, meningitis, and illnesses preventable with vaccines. About 75% of children are immunized, usually at a later age than recommended. The geography, climate, and ethnic composition of Nicaragua, and recent events affecting its economy are briefly described.^ieng