Is Young Maternal Age a Risk Factor for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Anaemia in India? An Examination in Urban and Rural Areas
Kavitha, N.
Journal of Health Management 13(3): 279-300
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0972-0634 Document Number: 225302
The present research work aims to study the effect of young maternal age on the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and anaemia using National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) data for India. Analysis has been done for currently married women in the reproductive age group and who had their first birth in the age group 29 or below. Data have been analysed for urban and rural areas separately. The bivariate analysis showed that per cent of women who had their first birth during adolescence is higher in rural areas than urban areas. Further, women who had their first birth during adolescence reported a higher prevalence of STDs and anaemia than women who had their first birth at later ages in both settings. Logistic regression analysis has been used to examine the net influence of maternal age on the prevalence of anaemia and STDs. The multivariate findings revealed that the likelihood of prevalence of STDs and anaemia (urban areas) was higher among adolescent women than among adult women.