Analyze the social and economic determinants of child and infant mortality in India, and suggest interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Social and Economic determinants of Child and infant mortality in India

(1) Social determinants: → According to S.B. Agnihotri, son meta preference is leading to death of many infant female babies. → Dr. Betty Cohen based on his studies says that first girl in the family is welcomed, second girl is tolerated and third girl is eliminated, leading to child mortality.

→ Many times new born babies are not given enough nutrition through breast feeding which is impacting their health.

→ According to Amartya Sen, information poverty such as lack of awareness of family members is leading to child and infant mortality.

→ According to T.K. Oomen marginalised communities lack access to healthcare which is leading to child mortality.

→ Issues such as lack of timely immunisation of kids is making them susceptible to diseases.

→ Due to lack of institutional deliveries, specialist doctors many children lost their lives.

(2) Economic determinants

→ Poverty is playing a significant role in the form of lack of nutrition

→ Educational poverty is leading to early marriages which increases the chances of child mortality..

→ Girl child is often considered as a liability due to aspects of dowry leading to second class treatment in homes.

Interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes

→ Initiatives such as Janani Suraksha Yojana will promote institutional deliveries to protect both mother and child health.

→ Delivery kits given by Telangana government is also helping both mother and child on the aspects of sanitation and awareness as part of early child care.

→ Initiatives such as Anemia Mukt Bharat should be promoted to deal with iron deficiency among pregnant women.

→ Timely immunisation should be ensured through programs such as Aayushman Bharat.

→ Local capacity building of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and Auxiliary nurse midwive can empower maternal and child health.

→ Access to healthcare and doctor support should be improved especially in rural and remote areas.