Mother and child health services seek both to deal with the immediate health problems of mothers and children, and to extend care provision, through concern with child development and the health education of parents, for the promotion of life long health. Women between fifteen and forty five comprise some 25% of Mozambique's population, and some 22% of these women become pregnant each year. Children under one year comprise 4% of the total population, and children between one and five constitute a further 15%. About 80,000 children under 12 months die annually in Mozambique, while the number of deaths of children under five years amounts to at least 40% of all deaths. The rate of maternal mortality due to complications of pregnancy or childbirth is between 3-4 deaths per 100 live births. The birth rate of 45/1000 is still increasing, and the infant mortality rate is estimated to vary between 75/1000 in parts of Maputo city to more than double this figure in the rural areas. (WHO/UNICEF 1980 p.25). Hence although the healtgh closely related to the general health of the community, a series of specific services may be put into operation which focus most directly on the needsf thse two groups.