Health in Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea: official figures
63.8% of women in Southern Highlands who gave birth in the five years before the 2016-18 survey saw a doctor, midwife or nurse for antenatal care during their most recent pregnancy, 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
How many babies are born in a health facility in Southern Highlands?
38.6% of births in Southern Highlands in the five years before the 2016-18 survey took place in a health facility, 5th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 54.7%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many births in Southern Highlands are attended by a skilled provider?
37.1% of births in Southern Highlands in the five years before the 2016-18 survey were assisted by a skilled provider (doctor, midwife or nurse), joint 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 56.4%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Southern Highlands sleep under a mosquito net?
13.2% of children under five in Southern Highlands slept under an insecticide-treated mosquito net the night before the 2016-18 survey, the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 51.5%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many pregnant women in Southern Highlands get malaria prevention?
18.3% of women in Southern Highlands with a recent birth took two or more doses of the anti-malaria drug SP/Fansidar during pregnancy (2016-18 survey), 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 35.7%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow soon are babies breastfed in Southern Highlands?
65.4% of last-born children under two in Southern Highlands were put to the breast within an hour of birth (2016-18 survey), 4th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 53.8%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is teenage pregnancy in Southern Highlands?
19.5% of girls aged 15-19 in Southern Highlands had already had a baby or were pregnant with their first child at the time of the 2016-18 survey, 2nd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 12.1%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow hard is it to get health care in Southern Highlands?
87.0% of women aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands reported at least one serious problem getting health care when sick (permission, money, distance or not wanting to go alone) in the 2016-18 survey, 2nd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 74.2%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow far are health facilities from people in Southern Highlands?
Distance to a health facility was a serious problem for 71.1% of women aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands (2016-18 survey), 3rd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 55.7%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Southern Highlands compares with other provinces
Births in a health facility (2016-18)
Southern Highlands ranks 18 of 22, highest first. Births in the five years before the survey
| Rank | Region | Births in a health facility |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Eastern Highlands | 54.1% |
| 16 | Gulf Province | 43.8% |
| 17 | Enga | 40.6% |
| 18 | Southern Highlands | 38.6% |
| 19 | Madang | 35.8% |
| 20 | Northern Province | 33.6% |
| 21 | West Sepik | 30.8% |
Children under 5 who slept under an insecticide-treated net (2016-18)
Southern Highlands ranks 22 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 who slept under an insecticide-treated net |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Chimbu | 43.3% |
| 17 | Eastern Highlands | 42.2% |
| 18 | National Capital District | 32.6% |
| 19 | Western Highlands | 29.9% |
| 20 | Hela | 28.1% |
| 21 | Enga | 22.3% |
| 22 | Southern Highlands | 13.2% |
Women reporting at least one serious problem getting health care (2016-18)
Southern Highlands ranks 2 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Women reporting at least one serious problem getting health care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gulf Province | 89.4% |
| 2 | Southern Highlands | 87.0% |
| 3 | West Sepik | 83.6% |
| 4 | East Sepik | 82.8% |
| 5 | Hela | 82.8% |
| 6 | Enga | 82.3% |
| 7 | East New Britain | 80.2% |
More on Southern Highlands: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Papua New Guinea
Sources
- National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program): Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey 2016-18, Table 9.18: problems in accessing health care by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
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