scholarly journals Skewed Child Sex Ratios in India: A Revisit to Geographical Patterns and Socio-economic correlates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aradhana Singh ◽  
Srinivas Goli

This study revisits the regional and socio-economic pattern of masculinisation of Child Sex Ratios (CSR), Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and Sex Ratio at Last Birth (SRLB) by using the successive rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS). Although the masculinisation of CSR continues in many Indian states as well as in different socio-economic settings, a tremendous change in previously established patterns of CSR can be observed from the findings. District-level analysis presents an intra-state variation in CSR, SRB and SRLB, which helps in identifying the emerging ‘hotspots’ of the problem. The decline in preference for a son and rise in skewed CSR, SRB and SRLB invites the attention of researchers towards drawbacks in the method of measurement of preference for a son as people are now more aware of the legal consequences of sex-selective abortions and underreport the same.

Author(s):  
Dr.V.Pugazhenthi

National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) fieldwork for India was conducted in two phases, during the years between 2019 and 2021 by 17 Field Agencies and gathered information from 636,699 households, 724,115 women, and 101,839 men. Information was gathered from 27,929 households, 25,650 women, and 3,372 men from Tamil Nadu and in Thanjavur from 826 households, 687 women, and 83 men. This research paper points out the health indicators in which Thanjavur District improved over the earlier NFHS and over the State as well as Country level averages in the NFHS-5. As per The NFHS -4 the sex ratio has raised marginally to 1053 and in the NFHS-5, sharply raised to 1112. The sex ratio of the country is also remarkably high crossing 1000 mark, first time in the Indian statistical history in the NFHS-5. NFHS-5 reveals positive note that the child sex ratio restoration back to 934. It reflects the changing mindset proliferating in the district towards the female. Amidst the negative mindset towards upbringing girl children in the state of Tamil Nadu, revealed by the reduced child sex ratio of 878 in NFHS -5 from 954 in NFHS-4 in Tamil Nadu a sharp positive increase in the child sex ratio in Thanjavur is fair enough to the fair sex. On the other hand, the reason for the reduction in the child sex ratio in the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu needs an immediate attention comparing the previous NFHS. It is also to be noted here that even the country level child sex ratio also is in increasing trend as per the present NFHS comparing its earlier survey. KEYWORDS: National Family Health survey, Government sponsored health insurance schemes, health insurance, Sex ratio, child sex ratio, AB-PMJAY.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Karlsson ◽  
Rockli Kim ◽  
Rakesh Sarwal ◽  
K. S. James ◽  
S. V. Subramanian

AbstractChild undernutrition remains high in India with far-reaching consequences for child health and development. Anthropometry reflects undernutrition. We examined the state-level trends in underweight, stunting, and wasting prevalence and inequality by living standards using four rounds of the National Family Health Surveys in 26 states in India, conducted in 1992–1993, 1998–1999, 2005–2006, and 2015–2016. The average annual reduction (AAR) for underweight ranged from 0.04 percentage points (pp) (95% CI − 0.12, 0.20) in Haryana to 1.05 pp (95% CI 0.88, 1.22) in West Bengal for underweight; 0.35 pp (95% CI 0.11, 0.59) in Manipur to 1.47 (95% CI 1.19, 1.75) in Himachal Pradesh for stunting; and − 0.65 pp (95% CI − 0.77, − 0.52) in Haryana to 0.36 pp (95% CI 0.22, 0.51) in Bihar & Jharkhand for wasting. We find that change in the pp difference between children with the poorest and richest household living standards varied by states: statistically significant decline (increase) was observed in 5 (3) states for underweight, 5 (4) states for stunting, and 2 (1) states for wasting. Prevalence of poor anthropometric outcomes as well as disparities by states and living standards remain a problem in India.


BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e055326
Author(s):  
Minal Shukla ◽  
Monali Mohan ◽  
Alex van Duinen ◽  
Anita Gadgil ◽  
Juul Bakker ◽  
...  

BackgroundIn Bihar, one of the most populous and poorest states in India, caesarean sections have increased over the last decade. However, an aggregated caesarean section rate at the state level may conceal inequities at the district level.ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to analyse the inequalities in the geographical and socioeconomic distribution of caesarean sections between the districts of Bihar. The secondary aim was to compare the contribution of free-for-service government-funded public facilities and fee-for-service private facilities to the caesarean section rate.SettingBihar, with a population in the 2011 census of approximately 104 million people, has a low GDP per capita (US$610), compared with other Indian states. The state has the highest crude birth rate (26.1 per 1000 population) in India, with one baby born every two seconds. Bihar is divided into 38 administrative districts, 101 subdivisions and 534 blocks. Each district has a district (Sadar) hospital, and six districts also have one or more medical college hospitals.MethodsThis retrospective secondary data analysis was based on open-source national datasets from the 2015 and 2019 National Family Health Surveys, with respective sample sizes of 45 812 and 42 843 women aged 15–49 years.ParticipantsSecondary data analysis of pregnant women delivering in public and private institutions.ResultsThe caesarean section rate increased from 6.2% in 2015 to 9.7% in 2019 in Bihar. Districts with a lower proportion of poor population had higher caesarean section rates (R2=0.45) among all institutional births, with 10.3% in private and 2.9% in public facilities. Access to private caesarean sections decreased (R2=0.46) for districts with poorer populations.ConclusionMarked inequalities exist in access to caesarean sections. The public sector needs to be strengthened to improve access to obstetric services for those who need it most.


2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. KRISHNAMOORTHY ◽  
N. AUDINARAYANA

This study uses data from the 1992–93 National Family Health Survey to assess trends in consanguinity in the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, the frequency of consanguineous marriages is very low and one type of preferred marriage of the Dravidian marriage system – uncle–niece marriage – is conspicuously absent. In the other states of South India, consanguinity and the coefficient of inbreeding are high. While no change in consanguinity is observed during the past three to four decades in Karnataka, a definite decline is observed in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Due to recent changes in the demographic and social situation in these states, this decline in consanguinity is likely to continue.


BMJ ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 328 (7443) ◽  
pp. 801-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
S V Subramanian ◽  
Shailen Nandy ◽  
Michelle Kelly ◽  
Dave Gordon ◽  
George Davey Smith

AbstractObjective To investigate the demographic, socioeconomic, and geographical distribution of tobacco consumption in India.Design Multilevel cross sectional analysis of the 1998-9 Indian national family health survey of 301 984 individuals in 92 447 households in 3215 villages in 440 districts in 26 states.Setting Indian states.Participants 301 984 adults (≥ 18 years).Main outcome measures Dichotomous variable for smoking and chewing tobacco for each respondent (1 if yes, 0 if no) as well as a combined measure of whether an individual smokes, chews tobacco, or both.Results Smoking and chewing tobacco are systematically associated with socioeconomic markers at the individual and household level. Individuals with no education are 2.69 times more likely to smoke and chew tobacco than those with postgraduate education. Households belonging to the lowest fifth of a standard of living index were 2.54 times more likely to consume tobacco than those in the highest fifth. Scheduled tribes (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.18 to 1.29) and scheduled castes (1.19, 1.16 to 1.23) were more likely to consume tobacco than other caste groups. The socioeconomic differences are more marked for smoking than for chewing tobacco. Socioeconomic markers and demographic characteristics of individuals and households do not account fully for the differences at the level of state, district, and village in smoking and chewing tobacco, with state accounting for the bulk of the variation in tobacco consumption.Conclusion The distribution of tobacco consumption is likely to maintain, and perhaps increase, the current considerable socioeconomic differentials in health in India. Interventions aimed at influencing change in tobacco consumption should consider the socioeconomic and geographical determinants of people's susceptibility to consume tobacco.


Author(s):  
Piyush Kumar Mishra ◽  
Vijay Kumar Mishra

Background: The status of undernutrition among under 5years children living in India is a public health concern. Our study identified contributed factors of undernutrition and current scenario of undernutrition among children living across Indian states. Objective of the study was to know the current scenario of undernutrition among under 5 years children across Indian states and to examine the associated factors with this.Methods: This study used data from 4th round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) that was coordinated by International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) during 2015-16 under the ministry of health and family welfare, GoI. Multiple logistic regression model was done to study the association between outcome (under nutrition) and socio-economic and bio-medical predictors.Results: This study identified four empowered action group (EAG) states as the problem states because of the greater number of undernourished children living in these states than other Indian states. The children whose mothers were fully exposed to mass media like newspapers/radio/television, have lower prevalence of undernutrition (50.6%). The results of multiple logistic regression revealed that the children belonging to poorest households were 2 times more likely [OR-CI, 2.35 (2.27-2.44)] to be undernourished than those belonging to richest.Conclusions: Undernutrition can be reduced through awareness with the help of mass media, providing higher education to women and reducing socio-economic inequalities. It is necessary to re-think about nutritional policy with respect to children under 5 years and frame a full proof implementation plan to reduce undernutrition in India. 


Author(s):  
Ashish Wasudeo Khobragade ◽  
K. Rajan

Background: India is facing serious hunger situation now. Factors responsible for this hunger situation are different. This study focuses on hunger situation in 4 different states of India and remedial measures.Methods: Secondary data was collected from National Family Health Survey-IV (NFHS). Data entry was done in excel sheet. GHI was calculated using new formula given by IFPRI.Results: There are wide disparities in hunger situation in Indian states. Madhya Pradesh is in alarming state of hunger.Conclusions: Hunger situation in Indian states varies from states to states. Different types of interventions are required at each state level to improve the overall hunger situation.


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