7 Feb : Sending a ray of light into the grim health situation in the country, a new study has shown that there has been an 8 percent decline in malnutrition among infants from 2001-2006.
Malnutrition among children between the age group of 12-23 months declined from 61 per cent to 53 percent, the study by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said.It also showed that there was an increase in more than 12 percent of women receiving iron supplement tablets, doubling of measles vaccination for children and increase in exclusive breast feeding of children below six months by more than 10 percent from 33.6 percent to 44.2 percent over a three year period.
The study showed an overall improvement in most key indicators related to immediate neo-natal care, including the initiation of breastfeeding within two hours of birth.In fact, breast feeding among children below six months of age had increased by more than 10 percent from 33.6 percent to 44.2 percent.
An increase in the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) for spacing methods of 4.8 percent over a three year period was also noticed.The study was carried out in nine states, including Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The results pertain to the five years of Integrated Health and Nutrition Project (IHNP) in these states supported by the USAID.The project covered more than 100 million people, including 16 million pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under two years of age.