Variations in the prevalence of caesarean section deliveries in India between 2016 and 2021 - an analysis of Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of C-sections in India increased from 17.2% to 2006 to 21.5% in 2021. This study examines the variations in C-section prevalence and the factors correlating to these variations in Tamil Nadu (TN) and Chhattisgarh (CG). METHODS: Delivery by C-section as the outcome variable and several demographic, socio-economic, and clinical variables were considered as explanatory variables to draw inferences from unit-level data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4; 2015-16 and NFHS-5; 2019-21). Descriptive statistics, bivariate percentage distribution, Pearson's Chi-square test, and multivariate binary logistic regression models were employed. The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Concentration Index (CIX) were used to analyse absolute and relative inequality in C-section rates across wealth quintiles in public- and private-sector institutions. RESULTS: The prevalence of C-sections increased across India, TN and CG despite a decrease in pregnancy complications among the study participants. The odds of caesarean deliveries among overweight women were twice (OR = 2.11; 95% CI 1.95-2.29; NFHS-5) those for underweight women. Women aged 35-49 were also twice (OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.92-2.29; NFHS-5) as likely as those aged 15-24 to have C-sections. In India, women delivering in private health facilities had nearly four times higher odds (OR = 3.90; 95% CI 3.74-4.06; NFHS-5) of having a C-section; in CG, the odds were nearly ten-fold (OR = 9.57; 95% CI:7.51,12.20; NFHS-5); and in TN, nearly three-fold (OR = 2.65; 95% CI-2.27-3.10; NFHS-5) compared to those delivering in public facilities. In public facilities, absolute inequality by wealth quintile in C-section prevalence across India and in CG increased in the five years until 2021, indicating that the rich increasingly delivered via C-sections. In private facilities, the gap in C-section prevalence between the poor (the bottom two quintiles) and the non-poor narrowed across India. In TN, the pattern was inverted in 2021, with an alarming 73% of the poor delivering via C-sections compared to 64% of those classified as non-poor. CONCLUSION: The type of health facility (public or private) had the most impact on whether delivery was by C-section. In India and CG, the rich are more likely to have C-sections, both in the private and in the public sector. In TN, a state with good health indicators overall, the poor are surprisingly more likely to have C-sections in the private sector. While the reasons for this inversion are not immediately evident, the implications are worrisome and pose public health policy challenges.

Wealth inequalities in nutritional status among the tribal under-5 children in India: A temporal trend analysis using NFHS data of Jharkhand and Odisha states - 2006-21.

Background: Undernutrition remains a major public health concern in India, especially among children belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST). In this study, we analyse wealth inequalities in nutritional outcomes within ST communities in two tribal-dominated states of India, namely, Odisha and Jharkhand. The study also compares the trends in nutrition outcomes between ST and Non-ST children in these states. Methods: We have conducted a trend analysis of the prevalence and inequalities in the nutritional indicators among ST children under age five using unit-level data of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) [NFHS-3(2005-06),4 (2015-16) and 5(2019-2021)]. Wealth-related inequalities were analysed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII), which measures absolute inequality, and the relative Concentration Index (CIX), which measures relative inequality. We have also analysed the correlation between Antenatal Care (ANC) visits and nutritional indicators using the Pearson Correlation test. Results: The trend analysis shows that the prevalence of undernutrition remains higher among ST children in India as compared to Non-ST children between NFHS-3 (2005-06) and NFHS-5 (2019-2020) in Jharkhand and Odisha. The SII and CIX values show that statistically significant inequalities in stunting and underweight exist among children belonging to various wealth quintiles within the ST category in both states. Wasting is found to be significantly prevalent across all wealth quintiles. Also, we found a negative association between ANC visits and all three nutritional indicators. Interpretation: Our study highlights the importance of monitoring both the absolute and relative wealth inequalities in nutritional outcomes. This is due to the fact that while inequalities across groups may reduce, the prevalence of poor nutritional outcomes may increase among certain groups. Such observations, therefore, will enable policymakers to focus further on those groups and devise appropriate interventions.

Sterilization incentives and associated regret among ever married women in India, NFHS, 2015-16.

OBJECTIVE: Sterilization is the only family planning method that involves relatively large amount compensation. So, the study attempts to examine the role of incentives received against the sterilization procedures on the reporting of sterilization regret in India. METHODS: The study used data from the fourth round of National Family Health Survey, 2015-16, which gathered the information on sterilization regret from 1,94,207 ever-married women. Multivariate logistic analysis and predicted probabilities approach was used to study the effect of compensation received on the sterilization regret in India. RESULTS: Results show that women who have received compensation were 33% less likely to report sterilization regret. It was found that 70% of women who undergone sterilization in public facility didn't incur any expenditure, rather received incentives. It is observed that women who had undergone operation in private facility spent a large amount than women who had done their operation in public facility. The regret in the private facility mainly results from high out of pocket expenditure on sterilization procedures. Around eight percent of women regretted getting sterilized in a private hospital and received some compensation amount, vis a vis the six percent who regretted undergoing sterilization in public facility and received compensation. CONCLUSION: The study calls for a need to standardize the cost of sterilization procedure in India's health facilities. A good alternative for reducing the cost could be Public-Private Partnership.

Wealth related inequality in women and children malnutrition in the state of Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND: Child and maternal malnutrition are the most serious health risks in India, accounting for 15% of the country's total disease burden. Malnutrition in children can manifest as 'stunting' (low height in relation to age) or 'wasting' (low weight in relation to height) or both and underweight or obesity among women. Other nutritional indicators show that India lags behind, with high levels of anaemia in women of reproductive age. The study aims to analyse the wealth related inequalities in the nutrition status among women and children of different wealth quintiles in a high focus state (Chhattisgarh; CG) and a non-high focus state (Tamil Nadu; TN) in India. METHODS: We used National Family Health Survey-3rd (2005-06) & 4th (2015-16) to study the trends and differentials of inequalities in the nutrition status. We have used two summary indices. - absolute inequalities using the slope index of inequality (SII), and relative inequalities using the concentration index (CIX). RESULTS: There is reduction in wealth related inequality in nutrition status of women and children from all wealth quintiles between 2005-06 and 2015-16. However the reduction in inequality in some cases such as that of severe stunting among children was accompanied by increase among children from better off households The values of SII and CIX imply that malnutrition except obesity is still concentrated among the poor. The prevalence of anaemia (mild, moderate and severe) has reduced among women and children in the past decade. The converging pattern observed with respect to prevalence of mild and moderate anaemia is not only due to reduction in prevalence of anaemia among women from poor households but an increase in prevalence in rich households. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition remains a major challenge in India, despite encouraging progress in maternal and nutrition outcomes over the last decade. Our study findings indicate the importance of looking at the change in inequalities of nutrition status of women and children of different wealth quintiles sub nationally. Given the country's rapidly changing malnutrition profile, with progress across several indicators of under nutrition but rapidly rising rates of overweight/obesity, particularly among adults, appropriate strategies needs to be devised to tackle the double burden of malnutrition.

Role of maternal and child health services on the uptake of contraceptive use in India: A reproductive calendar approach.

BACKGROUND: According to the latest round of National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS (2015-16)) maternal and child health care (MCH) services improved drastically compared to NFHS-3. Previous studies have established that the uptake of MCH services increases the likelihood of early adoption of contraceptives among women. So, our study aims to examine if the early initiation of contraceptive has proportionately improved with the recent increase in MCH services. METHODS: This study used the reproductive calendar of NFHS-4, 2015-16, to evaluate contraceptive initiation within 12 months after the last birth among 1,36,962 currently married women in India. A complementary log-log regression model was created to examine the link between the time of initiation of contraception and MCH care at the national level. RESULTS: It was found that only a quarter of women within 12 months from last birth have adopted the modern contraceptive method. Among those majority of the females adopted sterilization mostly at the time of birth. The multivariable model identified, that the period of initiation of contraceptive depends on the gender composition of children and access to MCH services. It was found that the odds of early initiation of contraceptive use was higher when a women have only son (AOR = 1.15,95% CI- 1.22, 1.18) compared to women with only daughter. Also, it was found that women who have availed MCH services were more likely to adopt contraceptives earlier. CONCLUSION: The number of women availing MCH services has increased in India, but it did not result in a proportional increase in initiation of contraception after childbirth. Facilitating family planning services alongside MCH services will be beneficial in low-resource settings. It is a golden opportunity to educate and encourage women for early adoption of contraceptive.

What Lessons should Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Learn from the Shortfalls of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana: The Case of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana in Chhattisgarh.

CONTEXT: Publicly funded health insurance has been rolled out by many states as well central government. As it is being seen as a way of protection against catastrophic health expenditure. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) has been one such attempt succeeded by the recent scheme Ayushman Bharat, which provides coverage of 5 lacs for each family per year. AIMS: To assess RSBY on issues of equity across the state of Chhattisgarh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The district-wise secondary data for Chhattisgarh were obtained from the official state website of RSBY maintained by the Government of Chhattisgarh. The data were utilized to estimate the claim ratio (procedure wise as well as district wise), enrollment pattern, rate of hospitalization, and average costs of hospitalization across the district to compare the change in trends since 2011 till 2017. RESULTS: There is an overall increase in enrollment, utilization, and number of empanelled hospitals. Also, a higher conversion ratio (i.e., increased proportion of the below poverty line households enrolled) shows a positive sign of improved coverage. All the districts faired on an average, barring Sukma with lowest enrollment rate (55%) probably due to poor accessibility and political disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has been an increase in the overall utilization, procedure-wise claims, and enrollment, there are signs of inequity, namely the skewed distribution of empanelled hospitals. Therefore, good or bad, RSBY offers important lessons to be learned for Ayushman Bharat.

Adult Immunization - Need of the Hour.

Immunization is the process of making individuals immune. Childhood immunization is a common process for various aliments, but adult immunization in the Indian scenario is obscure. Officially, India has been declared polio-free, which is an achievement despite cultural, political, economic, geographic, and so many other factors. The changing demographics of adult, geriatric population and growing cost of health-care maintenance are a concern in developing countries like India. Thus, promoting healthy lifestyle needs prevention, early detection, and management of various diseases and disorders. Certainly, prevention in adults is yet to be tapped completely, so that goal of 100% prevention can be achieved. Various fraternities of medical association have come up with guidelines for adult immunization schedules in India. The present paper reviews infectious diseases such as anthrax, chikungunya, cholera, dengue, influenza, and malaria in this section of the review. We humbly request all health-care professionals and educators to educate the mass for adult immunization. So that, cost involved for treatment and workforce for the management of diseases can be better utilized in some other needed areas.