Gender and infant survival in rural Tamil Nadu: situation and strategy
Athreya, V.; Chunkath, S.R.
Economic and Political Weekly 33(40): 2588-2594
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-9976 Document Number: 277173
It is noted that the infant mortality rate (IMR) is a useful indicator of the health status of a population, and that in India, the IMR remains unacceptably high. A sample survey of district level IMRs in rural Tamil Nadu show that the centre of the problem is early neonatal mortality compounded by the practice of female infanticide. The major medical causes of infant mortality are birth asphyxia, respiratory infection, premature birth and low birth weight. It is concluded that better access to health facilities, training for personnel and good quality equipment are required to confront the problem. Data presented are for the year 1995.