The Effect of Socio-Economic & Demographic Determinants on Children's Solid Food-Intake in India: A Study Based on NFHS-4

As nutrition is very critical and its access helps in the improvement of health and creates overall development, it is very vital for the children at their initial stages. In these period of rapid growth, India is still witnessing a huge discrimination regarding the children's solid food intake.<div>This paper seeks to find out the extent of these supplemental food inequality among children aged 6 to 59 months of age using the National Family Health Survey, round 4 data.</div><div>The results are very much evident to show the inequality among female children, along with discontinued breastfeeding. </div>

The Effect of Socio-Economic & Demographic Determinants on Children's Solid Food-Intake in India: A Study Based on NFHS-4

As nutrition is very critical and its access helps in the improvement of health and creates overall development, it is very vital for the children at their initial stages. In these period of rapid growth, India is still witnessing a huge discrimination regarding the children's solid food intake.<div>This paper seeks to find out the extent of these supplemental food inequality among children aged 6 to 59 months of age using the National Family Health Survey, round 4 data.</div><div>The results are very much evident to show the inequality among female children, along with discontinued breastfeeding. </div>

Association of maternal dietary patterns with child birth weight and size in India: Evidence from National Family Health Survey, 2005 to 2016

Background: Maternal dietary diversity during pregnancy is a major determinant of birth weight and birth size of infant. During pregnancy, mother diet is highly dependent on their topographical, cultural, and sociodemographic circumstances. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association between the maternal dietary intake with child birth weight and birth size along with the sociodemographic factors in India. Materials and Methods: The data for this study were drawn from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2005 to 2006 and 2015 to 2016 held in India. Inferential statistical analysis Chi-square was built to test was used to examine the association between maternal dietary patterns, and logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of mother’s dietary patterns on child birth weight and size by controlling the sociodemographic factors. Results: Mother’s daily intake of fish, meat, green leafy vegetables, and fruits was associated with higher birth weight or size and lower risk of intrauterine growth retardation. Women with ?2 dietary diversity categories had significantly higher proportion of low birth weight (LBW) and size of babies comparatively to those in the ?2 dietary diversity categories, there were lesser chance of LBW and small size of babies with women’s dietary diversity 3 (odds ranges from 1.09 to 1.44) or ?4 (odds ranges from 1.15 to 1.59). Furthermore, low birth order, mother’s underweight status, low maternal education, and wealth status significantly have positive association with the poor birth outcomes. Conclusion: The birth weight and size of newborns were found positively associated with the mother’s dietary intake. To meet the aim of maternal dietary diversity and to achieve the double bonus, the government should focus more on supplementation and food security programs during pregnancy that also include nutritional education as well as behavioral and social change interventions strategies.

AN ANALYSIS OF HEALTH PROFILE OF THANJAVUR DISTRICT AS ENVISAGED BY NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY 2019-21

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.

Occurrence of Diarrheal diseases among under-five children and associated socio-demographic and household environmental factors: An Investigation Based on National Family Health Survey-4 in Rural India

Background: Diarrheal disease is a major population health problem that is the leading reason for mortality and morbidity among children aged 0-59 months in rural India. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to identify the socio-demographic, environmental predictors associated with diarrhea among under-five children in rural India. Methods: A total of 188,521 living children (0-59 months) were utilized from the National Family Health Survey-4, 2015–2016. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis was carried out from the available NFHS-4 data for selected socio-demographic and environmental predictors to identify the relationship of occurrence of diarrhea using STATA 13.1. Results: In rural India, children aged 12-23 months [AOR: 0.897, 95% CI (0.876, 0.983)], 24-35 months [AOR: 0.579, 95% CI (0.543, 0.617)], 36-47 months [AOR: 0.394, 95% CI (0.367, 0.424)], 48-59 months [AOR: 0.313, 95% CI (0.289, 0.339)] were significantly less likely to suffer diarrheal disease. Female children [AOR: 0.897, 95% CI (0.859, 0.937)], children belonged to Scheduled Tribe [AOR: 0.811, 95% CI (0.755, 0.872)], Other Backward Classes [AOR: 0.902, 95% CI (0.851, 0.956)] were less likelihood to experience diarrhea significantly. Diarrhea disease was also significantly more likely to occur among Muslim children [AOR: 1.217, 95% CI (1.128, 1.313)], other religion [AOR: 1.163, 95% CI (1.062, 1.272)] children in central region [AOR: 1.510, 95% CI (1.410, 1.617)], east region [AOR: 1.077, 95% CI (1.002, 1.157)], and west region [AOR: 1.201, 95% CI (1.095, 1.317)], children with low birth weight [AOR: 1.135, 95% CI (1.074, 1.149)], undernourished [AOR: 1.097, 95% CI (1.038, 1.197)], improper stool disposal [AOR: 1.061, 95% CI (1.002, 1.124)], and rudimentary roof materials [AOR: 1.113, 95% CI (1.048, 1.182)]. Conclusions: In the rural part of India, diarrhea has occurred frequently now. The different socio-demographic and environmental factors are influencing this disease. For reducing the vulnerability of diarrhea the socio-demographic and environmental factors should be improved or monitoring by effective community education. The government and different NGOs should focus on improved drinking water sources, sanitation facility which may reduce the vulnerability of the disease.

Family Planning Practices in Kerala: A Critical Appraisal Using National Family Health Survey Data

Background Adequate attention to family planning can not only reduce poverty and hunger in countries with high birth rates but also avert maternal and childhood deaths. Kerala, the southernmost state of India, has achieved its replacement level fertility rate far ahead of India. The study aims to analyze the contraceptive prevalence of the state over the years and also at the district level and the choices of different family planning methods in the state. Methodology This study is a secondary data analysis using the available information from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) available from “The demographic health survey program’s data distribution system.” Results The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of Kerala showed an initial increase followed by a sudden fall by more than 10% in 10 years period during the 2015 survey, thereafter stabilized in 2019. Among the modern contraceptive methods, the most commonly used method consistently over the years was female sterilization (46.6%) and the least common method was male sterilization (0.1%). The unmet needs in family planning in the state varied across the districts from as high as 19.3% to 5.6% though it was reduced by 1.2 percentage units as compared to NFHS-4 data. Conclusion The findings contradict the assumption that the use of modern spacing techniques will increase with female literacy and a higher standard of living. Female-oriented nature of family planning practices in the state should be revisited and strategies should be brought to bring equal participation of males and females. Districts with reduced CPR should be prioritized and region-specific policy recommendations are necessary to address specific needs.

Anemia Prevalence in India Over Two Decades: Evidence from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

Anemia is the most prevalent deficiency disease and one among the major nutrition related goals globally. Children and women of reproductive age are the most vulnerable groups for anemia everywhere. While there are various nutritional and non-nutritional factors causing anemia, Iron deficiency is the most prominent of them. In India, more than half population of preschool age children and reproductive age women is suffering from anemia. Indian government had started anemia prophylaxis efforts a half century ago and still continuing to battle with this ever prevalent disease to bring down its occurrence. National Family Health Survey is the large-scale survey conducted in India to provide high-quality data on health and family welfare and related emerging issues. The data provided not only helps in formulation, revision and monitoring of the policies and programs but in situating the development of India globally. Studying the time trend for anemia prevalence and other related parameters reported in NFHS surveys helps how well India has performed until now and how far is from its goal to become Anemia free country. Keywords: Anemia, iron deficiency, health survey, child health, maternal health.

Is consanguineous marriage related to spousal violence in India? Evidence from the National Family Health Survey, 2015–16

Violence against women is a global phenomenon, and intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence faced by women in the world. Around 30% of women in the world, on average, and 33% in India experience intimate partner violence during their lifetime. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether consanguinity protects women from spousal violence. National Family Health Survey 2015–16 (NFHS-4) data were used. The study sample comprised 60,824 currently married women aged 15–49 years. The results of the logistic regression model showed that the likelihood of all types of spousal violence against women was higher among consanguineous unions compared with non-consanguineous unions in India. The association between consanguineous marriage and spousal violence was found to be positive and significant in the southern and eastern regions of India and among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The association was not significant among Muslims. Differences in socio-cultural norms and practices across the regions of India, and among different socio-cultural groups, can perhaps explain these variations. Women belonging in higher age groups, from Other Backward Castes, those who were working and those with a low level of educational attainment and socioeconomic standing had a higher risk of experiencing intimate partner violence. Couples in a consanguineous marriage should be given adequate counselling to reduce intimate partner violence in India, and similarly culturally diverse countries. This would also help reach Target 5.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Contraception for married adolescents (15–19 years) in India: insights from the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4)

Purpose Despite the fact that marriage below the age of 18 years is illegal in India, a considerable number of females get married and start childbearing during their adolescent years. There is low prevalence of contraceptive methods and high unmet need for family planning (FP). Realizing this, new government programs have been launched to increase the uptake of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents. However, evidence specific to this age group remains scarce. Aim and objectives The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of modern contraceptives among married adolescents, and to determine its association with sociodemographic variables, health worker outreach, and media exposure to FP messages in India. Methods Data for this analysis was drawn from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted in India during 2015–16. The sample size is restricted to 13,232 currently married adolescent girls aged 15–19 years, who were not pregnant at the time of the survey. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to assess the levels of contraceptive use and its predictors among married adolescents. Results The use of modern contraceptives among married adolescents increased from 4 to 10% between 1992–93 and 2015–16. The uptake of modern contraceptives was found to be low among the uneducated, those residing in rural areas, among backward classes, those practising Hindu religion, women in the poorest wealth quintile, women without children, and those with no exposure to FP messages via media or health care workers. Among those who met health care workers and discussed FP issues with them, 34.11% were using modern contraceptives as compared to 11.53% of those who did not have discussions with health care workers. Conclusions The evidence suggests that contact with health care workers significantly influences the use of modern contraceptives. Further focus on increasing contact between married adolescents’ and health care workers, and improving the quality of counselling will protect adolescents from early marriage and pregnancy.