A Socio- Demographic Profile of Infant Deaths in A Tribal Block of South Gujarat

Authors

  • Amul Patel GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Pradeep Kumar GMERS Medical College, Sola, Ahmedabad
  • Naresh Godara Government Medical College, Surat
  • Vikas K Desai Commissionerate of Health, Gandhinagar

Keywords:

Infant deaths, socio-epidemiological profile, socioeconomic status, literacy, teenage pregnancy

Abstract

With progressive reduction in infant mortality rate (IMR) and advent of technology, socio – demographic determinants assume more importance (than biological), more so in remote and inaccessible areas, which incidentally also record high IMR. Study was carried out in a tribal block of South Gujarat to generate socio- demographic profile for 48 infant deaths reported during one year. Data was collected through house to house survey on a designed questionnaire. Amongst 48 death cases, literacy rates amongst mothers and fathers were 64.6 and 75% respectively. Occupation wise 81.3% fathers and 52.1% mothers were farm laborer. Joint families were in 81.3% cases and 85.4% belonged to lower social class. Teenage pregnancy was found in 56.3% cases. Age of 25% mothers’ at birth was below 20 years. First birth order was found in 47.9% cases. Birth spacing was less than 2 years in 60.4% cases. It is concluded that improving literacy, increasing age at pregnancy, increasing birth spacing (> 2 years) along with overall socioeconomic improvement of community can help in attaining the further reduction in infant mortality.

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Published

2011-12-31

How to Cite

1.
Patel A, Kumar P, Godara N, Desai VK. A Socio- Demographic Profile of Infant Deaths in A Tribal Block of South Gujarat. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2011 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Nov. 24];2(03):399-403. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/1931

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 03 (2011)

Section

Original Research Articles

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