Andhra Pradesh stands highest

Vijayawada, March 20: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has conducted a National Family Health Survey (NHS-IV), which had revealed that teenage pregnancy in Andhra Pradesh is highest among southern states, while its sibling state Telangana stands second.The survey entrusted to the International Institute for Population Studies (IIPS) was carried out in Andhra Pradesh by GFK Mode Private Limited and it gathered information about 10,265 households, 10,428 women, and 1,398 men.The fact-sheet of the State provides information on key indicators and trends and the data from the survey will help in identifying the need for new programs with area-specific focus.As per the report, women aged between 15 and 19, who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey, accounted for 11.8 percent in Andhra Pradesh. While it was 10.6 percent in Telangana. However, it cannot give the exact measure of the situation as the number of samples taken from both the States differs. It was found that prevalence of teenage pregnancy is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban areas. It is about 8.8 percent in urban areas, and 13.2 in rural areas.Andhra Pradesh is not doing any better in the case of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) either, though it (35) is better than the national average of 41. However, Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) stands at 41. When compared to Kerala, whose IMR is now 6, that is on a par with the United States, Andhra Pradesh needs to go miles to cover the gap.As much as 91.6 percent institutional births might look good on paper, but when compared to other southern states, Andhra Pradesh is nowhere. Kerala has 99.9 percent institutional births, followed by Tamil Nadu at 99.2 per cent.Even in a case of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, which is necessary for the health of the newborn and also to prevent neonatal deaths, the State fares badly, with the percentage being just 40.1 per cent.In comparison, Goa s average is 73, while Kerala s 64 and Tamil 55. Use of C-section surgery for delivery of babies in Andhra Pradesh is also more than the national average of 28 per cent, which experts say is a cause for concern.The survey report also includes information on malaria prevention, migration in the context of HIV, abortion, and violence during pregnancy etc. The scope of clinical, anthropometric and biochemical testing or biomarker component has been expanded to include measurements of blood pressure and blood glucose levels.