Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100154940500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Almost all pregnant women receive three antenatal care

Special Correspondent

Only three-fourths receive antenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy

88 per cent of the deliveries in Tamil Nadu take place in a health facility
87 per cent of women receive postnatal care within two days of birth

CHENNAI: Almost all pregnant women in Tamil Nadu (96 per cent) receive at least three antenatal care visits, the highest level in India, National Family Health Survey-3 has revealed.

The Tamil Nadu State Report of the 2005-06 NFHS-3 gives a comprehensive picture of the health and well being of the people of the State.

It indicated that while performance in terms of antenatal visits was good, only three-fourths received antenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy, as recommended.

It also went on to state that 88 per cent of deliveries took place in a health facility, with only Kerala and Goa putting up a better show. Eighty-seven per cent of women received postnatal care within two days of birth, also the highest among all States.

Infant mortality rate

The Infant mortality rate has declined over time and is much lower than the national average. In Tamil Nadu, 1 in 33 children die within the first year of life and 1 in 28 before completion of 5 years. Infant mortality rate in rural areas (36 per 1,000 live births) is higher than that in urban areas (23).

However, it points out that though Tamil Nadu has a comprehensive immunisation schedule to vaccinate children against six major childhood illnesses, immunisation coverage has been dipping in comparison to the earlier two surveys: NFHS-2 and NFHS-3.

“Despite the impressive vaccination coverage, during the period between NFHS-2 and NFHS-3, the coverage of three doses of DPT and polio vaccines, and full immunisation has declined,” according to the report. Twelve per cent of children still have not received three doses of polio vaccine.

Malnutrition remains a significant problem for children and adults, says P. Arokiasamy, NFHS-3 co-ordinator. Nearly one-third of children under five are stunted, indicating they have been undernourished for some time.

More than one in five is wasted, or too thin for their height, which may result from inadequate recent food intake, or recent illness. Thirty per cent of children under age five are underweight, perhaps because of chronic and acute under-nutrition. About 64 per cent of children aged 6-59 months are anaemic, possibly linked to poor nutrition.

Even adults suffer from the dual burden of malnutrition: 28 per cent of women and 27 per cent of men are too thin. Prof. Arokiasamy says overweight/obesity has also emerged as a major problem: 21 per cent women and 15 per cent men are overweight or obese.

Only 51 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men are at a healthy weight for their height.