| OCR Text |
Show 196 for Indians and 43.4 for the Alaska Natives. In the same year the infant mortality rate (infant deaths per 1000 live births) was 36.3 for Indians and 65.4 for Alaska Natives. Health services are provided at no cost to the beneficiaries directly at Public Health Service facilities or through contracts with private physicians and hospitals. The Division operates 51 hospitals, 34 health centers, 19 school health centers, 55 health stations and hundreds of other clinic locations. In the Division of Indian Health family planning is one element of the comprehensive health care program. It includes not only birth control but infertility services as well as the promotion of education for responsible parenthood. The information provided is of a type that conforms to the individual's needs, desires and religious beliefs and a choice of medically acceptable procedures is always provided the individual seeking assistance. Family planning services are provided to married or unmarried women of age. Services to unmarried minors may be provided if authorized by the parent or legal guardian. There are approximately 73,000 women beneficiaries 15-44 years of age. In this group there are about 18,000 deliveries per year and approximately 48,600 potential contraceptive users. Family planning activities are integrated in the maternal and child health program; public health nurses,health educators and social workers advise the families that family planning counseling and or services are available at the nearest Indian health facility. Obstetricians and nurses also advise all pregnant women delivered in Division hospitals. Since the inception of the program, July of 1964, up to June, 1967, 14,863 women have been provided services. This represents 82.6 percent of the approximately 18,000 deliveries per year and 30.6 percent of the potential contraceptive users. The number of births in Division of Indian Health hospitals has been increasing steadily every year until 1965. In 1966 there was a reduction of 4.9 percent in relation to the previous year and in 1967 there was another reduction of 7.5 percent in relation to 1966. The reception of the program by the beneficiaries has been excellent, with varying degrees of acceptance according to the mores,desires and religious beliefs of the individuals and tribes. The initial concern shown by some tribes has been overcome by carefully following the policy of the Public Health Service that the program shall guarantee freedom from coercion or pressure of mind or conscience, and the policy of the Division that the approach to the beneficiaries will be according to the attitudes needs and religious beliefs of the individuals. |
