National family health survey (MCH and family planning) : India 1992-93 -- introductory report

Never before in India has such a large population and health survey been undertaken and completed in the stipulated time period. It was undertaken with the principal objective of providing state-level and national-level estimates of fertility, infant and child mortality, the practice of family planning, maternal and child health care and the utilization of services provided for mothers and children. Another important objective of the NFHS was to provide high quality data to academicians and researchers for undertaking analytical research on various population and health topics. The MOHFW designated the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Bombay, as the nodal agency for providing coordination and technical guidance to the NFHS. The data collection for the NFHS was undertaken by various Consulting Organizations (COs) in collaboration with the concerned Population Research Centres (PRCs) in each state. The East-West Center/Macro International provided technical assistance for all of the survey operations. Funding for the NFHS was provided USAID, New Delhi. The NFHS covered 24 states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (the erstwhile Union Territory of Delhi), comprising 99% of the total population of India. In all, 89,777 ever-married women age 13-49 and 88,562 households were covered, using uniform questionnaires, sample designs and field procedures. The data collection was carried out on a state-by-state basis during April 1992 to September 1993. Preliminary reports with selected results were prepared for each state by the end of 1993 and presented to policymakers and programme administrators responsible for improving family welfare programmes. This is an introductory report containing basic information on fertility, knowledge and practice of family planning, utilization of antenatal services, immunization, feeding practices and health of children, infant and child mortality, maternal mortality, and knowledge of AIDS. Interstate comparisons on key indicators are also provided in this report. This report will be followed by the final national report, which is under preparation at IIPS. The final state-level reports are being written by representatives from the concerned PRC for each state, with the assistance of faculty members from IIPS and demographers from the East-West Center/Macro International. (Author abstract)