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The Health and Nutrition Situation

of the Mother and Child

in Banswara

Introduction

Dear Supervisor,

Very often, data is collected, compiled sent up for reporting and the exercise is finished there. However, there is a need to use the data collected at your level for improving the service delivery and improving the use of services by the community for whom it is meant.

This is a booklet which sums up nine key indicators which are crucial in realizing Hajo Soru in the district of Banswara. Each of the indicators are explained and the data that you collected during the base line survey last year is explained.

This booklet has been prepared for your use. You can and must use this as a programme planning tool.

Go through it carefully and use the information provided in your sector level meetings, to make your AWWs and ANMs understand what the situation is and to discuss what needs to be done to improve the situation in your block. Many of the indicators are linked. For example, weighing and feeding during illness or diarrhoea.

To assess how well your block is functioning against each of the indicator look at Pg.31. The score given in the 2nd column shows how well each block has done against each indicator. If any of the indicator has a score less than 50% then it is time to act. You must decide which problem should be given priority and discuss with your workers as to how the problem can be addressed.

You can use your AWC/SHC records (Monthly reports) and see which sectors and which centres are showing improvement with regard to each of these indicators. Discuss what brought about this improvement and encourage your workers on the good work that they have done. In sectors and centres which are not showing improvement, spend more time with those workers and assist them.

You can also use this in the community, to explain to mothers, the importance of ANC, regularly weighing, feeding during illness, etc., along with the AWW booklet and posters that have been provided to each of AWCs and SHCs.

Facilitators Team
Hajo Soru Project 

 


Only a Healthy Mother can have a Healthy Baby

Indicator 1 - Pregnancy at Risk

Among others, there, are two conditions that are crucial to reduce risk at birth which will also protect the mother from putting herself at risk.  These are: age of the mother and time interval between two consecutive deliveries.
 

Condition 1 - The Right Age

If a woman has a baby when she is over 18 years and below 35 years of age, there are more chances that she would have an easier pregnancy and delivery.

What did the baseline survey show?
From the above, it is clear that in both Anandpuri (27 out of 82) and Garhi (26 out of 80) blocks, there were a greater number of pregnant women who were either under age or over age.

 Table 1: No. of Pregnant women at risk due to age

Blocks

Below 18 years

In the safe age group  (18 - 35 years)

Above 35 years

Total number of Respondents

Total number of women at risk

Anandpuri

8

55

19

82

27

Bagidora

9

62

13

84

22

Ghatol

6

62

11

79

17

Garhi

10

54

16

80

26

Kushalgarh

8

58

14

80

22

Pipalkhunt

3

56

14

73

17

Sajjangarh

4

65

12

81

16

Talwara

5

57

15

77

20

Condition 2 - Interval between two births

If a woman has another baby after a two year interval, then she would have recovered from her previous delivery and thus is stronger to cope with the next pregnancy and birth.

What did the baseline survey show?
The above shows that in both Bagidora (37 out of 84)  and Talwara (33 out of 77), there were a large number of pregnant women who had two children within 2 years.

 Table 2: No. of Pregnant women having 2 babies within 2 years

Blocks

Pregnant Women having child <2 years and thus at risk

Total Pregnant women

Anandpuri

21

82

Bagidora

37

84

Ghatol

17

79

Garhi

21

80

Kushalgarh

10

80

Pipalkhunt

10

73

Sajjangarh

14

81

Talwara

33

77

 

To sum up:


ICDS and Health functionaries must counsel and talk to women, adolescents and families about family planning methods that are available and appropriate with respect to each case.  They must also discuss with the family the importance of taking the at risk mother for check-up and that special care must be taken during the entire period of the pregnancy.  Finally the family and the concern women must be prepared for safe delivery and arrangement must be made for transportation in case of need for emergency obstetric care.  Timely and appropriate counseling and along with building of trust can the problem of at risk be minimised in the future.  While all blocks need attention, specific attention must be paid to Anandpuri, Garhi, Bagidora and Talwara.

 

Indicator 2 - Ante- natal care

As soon as a woman knows that she is pregnant, both she and her family are vested with certain responsibilities. Safe motherhood is also a right and she has to be taken care of in an appropriate and fitting manner, by the service delivery system and by society.

Step 1 - Registration

All pregnant women must be registered at the AWC or the SHC. Registration helps her to seek the care she deserves and assists the functionary to provide her the services.

 

What did the baseline survey show?
The survey results show that in Pipalkhunt (26 out of 73), in Kushalgarh (20 out of 80), and in Anandpuri (20 out of 82), were not registered.


Table 3: No. of Registered Pregnancy

Blocks

Registered

Not Registered

No Response

Total number of Respondents

Anandpuri

61

20

1

82

Bagidora

69

14

1

84

Ghatol

63

8

8

79

Garhi

73

6

0

79

Kushalgarh

60

20

0

80

Pipalkhunt

47

26

0

73

Sajjangarh

64

13

4

81

Talwara

69

7

0

76

 

Step 2 - Regular check-up

During the period of pregnancy, the woman must have atleast 3 check-ups, to know that everything is going all right with her and her baby.

 

What did the baseline survey show?
The above shows that  many women in the following blocks did not have even one checkup. These were in Anandpuri (32 out of 82), Kushalgarh (29 out of 80) and Pipalkhunt (29 out of 73). Moreover, in almost all the blocks,  there was no response (blank ) to this indicator. There were a large number of women who received only one check-up.


Table 4: No. of Pregnant women who had at least 3 checkups during pregnancy

Blocks

At least 3 checkups

Only one

Never

No Response

Total number Respondents

Anandpuri

25

18

32

7

82

Bagidora

40

22

8

14

84

Ghatol

54

12

11

2

79

Garhi

51

20

8

1

80

Kushalgarh

25

24

29

2

80

Pipalkhunt

28

14

29

2

73

Sajjangarh

28

15

15

23

81

Talwara

52

12

11

2

84

 

Step 3 -Protecting against Tetanus

A pregnant woman must protect herself against tetanus. She must take two Tetanus Toxoid injections. This can be given by the ANM at the health centre or at the AWC.

 

What did the Baseline survey show?
The above shows that  while a large number of women had TT shots (either one or both), many responses were blank. This could mean that many women did not know or did not go for the TT shots. This was especially so in Anandpuri and Sajjangarh.


Table 5: No. of Pregnant women who had TT shots

Blocks

One Shot

Two Shots

No Response

Total number of Respondents

Anandpuri

12

21

49

82

Bagidora

29

30

25

84

Ghatol

39

22

18

79

Garhi

22

43

15

80

Kushalgarh

31

21

28

80

Pipalkhunt

22

24

27

73

Sajjangarh

24

16

41

81

Talwara

27

31

19

77

 

Step 4 - Combating Anemia

Most of our Indian women, especially from the poorer strata are prone to Anaemia. Lack of iron makes the woman weak  and impacts on safe motherhood. Therefore it is necessary that she must take atleast a 100 IFA tablets during the course of her pregnancy. These are available at the SHC and AWC.

 

What did the Baseline Survey show?
The results showed that in Anandpuri (26 out of 82), in Kushalgarh (22 out of 80) and in Pipalkhunt (19 out of 73) did not take IFA tablets. Here again there were a number of blank responses against this indicator in all the blocks.


Table 6: No. of Pregnant women who had taken IFA tablets

Blocks

Yes

No

No Response

Total number of Respondents

Anandpuri

33

26

23

82

Bagidora

65

9

10

84

Ghatol

60

4

15

79

Garhi

66

9

5

80

Kushalgarh

49

22

9

80

Pipalkhunt

33

19

21

73

Sajjangarh

50

13

18

81

Talwara

66

4

7

77

 

Step 5 - Care during Pregnancy

Together with the first four steps, the pregnant woman must take care of her diet and food intake, and also ensure that she takes sufficient rest (atleast two hours during the day) and not lift heavy weights or do heavy work. Proper care during pregnancy will ensure her strength, a healthier baby and a normal delivery.

 

What did the baseline survey show?
The results show that in almost all the blocks, except for Pipalkhunt (35 out of 65) and in Sajjangarh (31 out of 68)  pregnant women did not  take sufficient care with regard to adequate nutrition. In four out of the eight blocks, less attention was also being paid to taking a minimum of two hours rest during the day and ensuring that heavy work is not done.


Table 7: No. of Pregnant women at risk due to age

 

Blocks

More Nutritious Food

Additional rest  totaling to  2 hours during  the day

Did not take care (food, rest)

No Response

Total number of Respondents

Anandpuri

46

13

19

4

82

Bagidora

63

16

2

3

84

Ghatol

43

21

7

4

75

Garhi

61

6

2

10

79

Kushalgarh

64

10

4

0

78

Pipalkhunt

30

4

26

5

65

Sajjangarh

37

14

3

14

68

Talwara

52

15

4

0

71

 

To sum up:


ICDS and Health functionaries must pay more attention to Ante-natal care services. They must:

  • ensure that all pregnant women are registered and that there is no duplication of registration between departments;
  • ensure that every pregnant woman has check-up at least thrice, and gains weight regularly
  • ensure that all pregnant women receive both doses of  TT
  • ensure that all women receive and consume their 100 IFA tablets
  • build relationship with pregnant women and their families and counsel them, so that the woman has sufficient nutritious food intake during pregnancy, takes proper rest and does not engage in heavy work. These practices be discussed and workers must be encouraged to identify the problem and to workout solutions along with the concerned women and her family.

Special attention must be paid in these blocks, where the overall score for ANC is low:

  • Pipalkhunt
  • Anandpuri
  • Kushalgarh
  • Sajjangarh

ANC can be strengthened further in the remaining blocks of:

  • Bagidora
  • Garhi
  • Talwara
  • Ghatol

 

Safe Delivery Ensures Safety of Mother and Baby

Indicator 3 - Safe Delivery

Condition 1: Deliveries must take place at Institutions

In the earlier section, we saw  the importance of ante-natal care. Now , the mother is ready to deliver. Where she delivers her baby and how  and by whom the baby is delivered is extremely crucial for both the safety and health of the mother and her baby. If the delivery is carried out at a health centre or hospital, it is all the more safer and better.

 

The delivery can be conducted at home as long as the place of delivery is clean and hygienic and if the delivery is attended by a trained person (Dai or ANM).

 

What did the baseline survey show?
What the above shows is that in almost all the blocks more than one third of the deliveries take place in the home and not in institutions.  In Garhi almost all the deliveries 70 out of 80 took place at home. More than half of the deliveries took place at home in Pipalkhunt (51 out of 73), in Ghatol (51 out of 79), in Talwara (48 out of 77), and in Anandpuri (45 out of 82).

 

 Table 8: No. of Pregnant women planning for Home versus Institutional Delivery

Blocks

Home

Institutional: PHC, Govt. Hosp.  Clinic

No response

Total number of Respondents

Anandpuri

45

21

16

82

Bagidora

42

29

13

84

Ghatol

51

16

12

79

Garhi

70

9

1

80

Kushalgarh

41

32

7

80

Pipalkhunt

51

5

17

73

Sajjangarh

36

19

26

81

Talwara

48

15

14

77

 

Condition 2: Deliveries must be attended by trained attendants

Since most of the deliveries tend to take place at home, it is important that those who attend the delivery are trained. This ensures that the five safety measures, i.e., safe, hygienic place, soap, clean hands, sterilized razor and clean strings are used.

 

What did the baseline survey show?
From the above, it is clear that except for Ghatol, all the blocks show a high number of deliveries attended by untrained Dais or family members. Kushalgarh, Sajjangarh and Talwara need attention in this regard.


Table 9: No. of deliveries were conducted by trained Personnel

Blocks

Family Member/  Untrained Dai

Trained Personnel

No Response

Total number of Respondents

Anandpuri

65

86

0

151

Bagidora

70

71

16

157

Ghatol

41

114

4

159

Garhi

65

94

0

159

Kushalgarh

91

65

0

156

Pipalkhunt

74

77

8

159

Sajjangarh

77

78

6

161

Talwara

82

76

8

166

 

To sum up: