More than 60 per cent population of pre-school children and women are found to be anaemic in Haryana. Also, 55 per cent pregnant women in the State have anaemia.
The statistics, revealed by National Family Health Survey – 4 (NFHS), a 2015-16 survey, paints a grim picture of child and women healthcare in Haryana.
Contrary to the claims of BJP led State Government of improving health services in Haryana, the NFHS-4 has revealed worsening state of health care and poor nutritional status in the State population.
The survey released by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare revealed that 72.9 per cent children (6-59 months) have anaemia while 62.7 per cent women (age 15-49) are anaemic in the State. It stated that 55 per cent pregnant women including 58.1 per cent in rural areas and 50.2 per cent in urban Haryana are found to be anaemic.
Also, 34 per cent children (under five years of age) are stunted (height for age) in Haryana. The number of wasted children has increased from 19.1 per cent (NFHS-3, 2005-06) to 21.2 per cent in 2015-16. Of all under-five children in Haryana, one in every three is underweight with the percentage of underweight children at 29.4 in 2015-16.
Only 7.5 per cent children (age 6-23 per cent) are found to be receiving an adequate diet, as per the NFHS-4.
Apparently, malnutrition is still widespread in Haryana, which is already grappling with high Infant Mortality rate. The State recorded infant mortality rate at 33 percent while under five mortality rate is 41 percent, according to the survey.
While the State Government is undertaking several initiatives to ensure child immunization, Haryana witnessed decline in percentage of fully immunized children (receiving BCG, measles and 3 doses each of polio and DPT). The child immunization (age 12-23 months) is recorded at 62.2 percent, declining from 65.3 percent registered in NFHS-3.
The survey stated, “Only 19.5 per cent pregnant women are found to have full antenatal care while 32.5 per cent pregnant women consumed 100 or more IFA tablets/syrup equivalent. 80.5 per cent institutional delivery including 52 per cent at public facility and 5.8 per cent deliveries at home were registered.”
The NFHS-4 fieldwork for Haryana was conducted from February 13 to June 24, 2015 gathering information from 17,332 households, 21,652 women, and 3,380 men.
Sex ratio and literacy
The sex ratio declined from 897 (2005-06) to 876 in 2015-16 in Haryana. The sex ratio at birth witnessed increase from 762 (2005-06) to 836. 75.4 percent women and 90.6 percent men are found to be literate. 45.8 percent women had 10 or more years of schooling.
Personal habits (age 15 years-49 years) and knowledge of HIV/AIDS
24.5 per cent men consume alcohol while 35.8 percent men smoke in Haryana. 1.6 per cent women use any kind of tobacco. Also, 34.2 percent women and 17.2 per cent men in Haryana have tried to stop smoking or using tobacco during the past 12 months. Only 31.1 perc ent women and 48.5 percent men have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
Practice of child marriage
18.5 perc ent women aged 20-24 years were found to be married before 18 years while 31.3 per cent men aged 25-29 years (at the time of survey) had married before the age of 21 years. 5.9 per cent women aged 15-19 years were already mothers or pregnant at the time of survey.
Women’s empowerment and gender based violence (15-49 years)
32 per cent ever-married women have ever experienced spousal violence in the state. 45.6 percent women have a bank or savings account while 35.8 percent owns a house or land. 50.5 percent women have mobile phones in the state.
Nutritional status of adults
In Haryana, 21 per cent women and 20 percent men are found to be overweight or obese.15.8 percent women and 11.3 percent men have body mass index (BMI) below normal.
Treatment of childhood (under 5 years age) diseases
80.1 per cent children are found to have fever or symtoms of ARI (acute respiratory infection) in the last two weeks preceding the survey of a health facility. Also, 77.3 per cent children with diarrhea were taken to a health facility in the last two weeks before survey.