ABSTRACT
Introduction: In developing countries various factors lead to Under-5 Mortality and irreversible losses which can be prevented by proper measures take on factors affecting to it. Objective: This study was conducted to analyse the changing trends of Under-5 Mortality in India. The new National Family Health Survey (5th round) which was published recently came up with several new findings, which were both encouraging and disheartening and also one of the major Sustainable Development Goals.Method: A secondary data analysis was conducted of NFHS factsheets to study the U5MR in India. The indica-tors which had a correlation either positive or negative with the Under-five mortality rate were included.Result- When we look at the result, few states' performance is encouraging because they have shown some of the best declines. Correlation was found between dependant variable that is U5MR which is a dependent vari-able and several independent variables which concluded that factors like Women literacy, Men literacy, Breastfeeding, Nutritional insufficiencies, Caesarean delivery, ANC visits and IFA consumptions are negatively associated withU5MR. Conclusion: Various steps have been taken in order to improve our healthcare sector since independence, every government had their fair share of contribution, that’s the reason why we are this stage. Now it’s time to increase efforts with targeted interventions to solve this problem and complete our commitment towards the SDGs.
ABSTRACT
Background: The sustainable development goal emphasises on reduction in mothers dying due to pregnancy. Recommended care for the pregnant mothers will help achieve this goal. Tamil Nadu is one of the best performing state in maternal and child health care. Author analysed the full antenatal care coverage of pregnant mothers of the districts of Tamil Nadu by using National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 data.Methods: Author did a secondary data analysis of NFHS 4 data for the districts of Tamil Nadu for understanding the MCH coverage.Results: Tamil Nadu showed 45% full AN coverage with 46.3% in urban and 43.8% in rural population, among 32 districts, Krishnagiri (65.5%) is the best performing and Virudhunagar (13.7%) is the poorest performing district of Tamil Nadu. Full AN coverage includes at least 4 AN check-up, vaccination of tetanus toxoid and consumption of 100 IFA tablets in last pregnancy. Tamil Nadu showed 81.1% of at-least 4 AN visit, 71% with vaccination for TT and 64% on consumption of 100 IFA tables. Similar coverage trend among the components of full ANC coverage is seen among all the districts of Tamil Nadu.Conclusion: Focusing on the coverage of IFA tablet consumption and also showing special interest among the rural population will increase the coverage. A detailed assessment for understanding the reasons for poor performance among the districts of Tamil Nadu is needed for better evidence-based practices.
ABSTRACT
Background: Breastfeeding is one of the most important determinants of child survival, birth spacing, and prevention of childhood infections. The beneficial effects of breastfeeding depend on breastfeeding initiation, its duration, and the age at which the breast-fed child is weaned. Data from NFHS-4 suggest that in India, in Gujarat where only 56% of infants are exclusively breastfed and 50% of infants are initiated with breastfeeding within one hour of birth. This study was planned to identify the gaps in breastfeeding practices so that necessary interventions can be designed and thereby implemented. The objective is to study the breastfeeding practices of mothers having children below 2 years of age in the field practice areas of the medical college and to associate the findings of these practices with the socio-demographic characteristics of the population.Methods: The study conducted was a community based cross-sectional one in the six villages of RHTC of PIMSR. The study was conducted by surveying a total of 204 mothers to study their breastfeeding practices which were categorized into ‘good’ and “not so good’ practices. From this the total score was calculated and associated with socio-demographic variables.Results: Majority of the mothers were in the age group 18-22 and educated up to ‘primary’ and most of them were from social class IV and V. Only 23% of the mothers had adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. About 70% practiced both early initiation of breastfeeding and feeding colostrum whereas nearly 80% practiced exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: It is concluded from the study that even though the practice of breastfeeding was found quite good, the gaps in the knowledge and practice must be addressed through health education and support through peer and health groups. Documenting the success stories will go a long way for community education and behavioral change in communication at the community level for adequate breastfeeding practices.
ABSTRACT
Universal Health coverage (UHC) is required for fulfilment of Health for All. Currently World Health Organization has proposed indicators for tracing coverage of UHC. This study aimed to find the current status of the UHC in India and Indian States. Material and Methods: Data were collected from the national data portals, national surveys and annual reports of ministry. In case of non-availability, numerator and denominator were used from different sources. Data were entered in to Microsoft excel and analysed using Stata-12. Results: Coverage indicators for Non Communicable diseases and cataract surgery were not available in any national survey or national report of ministry. Coverage of none of the health system indicators were found to be 100%. Few indicators like Skilled attendance at birth, TB cure rate, Preventive chemotherapy against filariasis, access to improved water source had a coverage of 80%. Across the states and union territories the coverage was variable but no significant difference was observed between the EAG and Non EAG states. Very few states have achieved the minimum coverage of 80% in various coverage indicators. Conclusion: There is non-availability of some data and some data were collected in duplication. Because of the lack of data, it is not yet possible to compare the UHC service coverage index across key dimensions of inequality. Until these data gaps are overcome, inequalities in service coverage cannot be assessed.