Impact of Institutional Delivery on Child Survival

Abstract

Institutional delivery is instrumental in saving the lives of mothers and children. Children are the future of the nation and mothers are guardians. Mother and child are considered as a single unit up to five years of child's age. In India, both child mortality (especially neonatal mortality) and maternal mortality are high. Out of every 100 children born in India, 7 die before reaching age 1, and approximately 5 out of every 1,000 mothers who become pregnant die of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. India accounts for more than one-fifth of all maternal deaths from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth worldwide. Institutional delivery reduces the infant mortality rate (IMR) as the healthcare institutions are equipped with required facilities and qualified human resource to handle adverse or critical situation arising at the time of delivery and after. This study is based on primary data collected from the Aligarh district. The major indicators taken into consideration are antenatal care, place of delivery, early immunisation of the newborn, weight, initiation of breastfeeding, trend of giving first bath. Still, 26 per cent mothers and children are prone to death or serious complications, leading to infirmity. This study strives to discuss the scope and relation between institutional delivery and survival of children.