Demographic Study of Gujjars of Delhi: V. Maternal and Child Health Care Practices

Abstract

Mother and child constitute the special risk group and their health is considered of priority interest. The risk in case of mother is connected with child bearing while in the case of infant and children are connected with growth development and survival. Keeping this in mind a demographic study was conducted among Gujjar women of Delhi. The data for present study was collected by interviewing ever-married Gujjar women aged 15-49 years from a sample of 221 households. Majority of Gujjar mothers received antenatal check-ups though institutional deliveries are less common. The median number of check-ups for those who received at least one check-up is 3 visits. The median timing of the first antenatal check-up among Gujjar women of Delhi is 4 months i.e. during second trimester of pregnancy. The coverage of other two interventions namely two tetanus toxoid injections and full course of iron and folic acid supplementation is also incomplete. Higher educated mothers have more likelihood for antenatal care and institutional deliveries. Majority of the deliveries in last four years had no complications. Immunization coverage among Gujjar children is incomplete. Proportion of fully vaccinated children is low. Vitamin A supplementation below 5 years of age is not only incomplete but also irregular. Diarrhoea is the most frequent cause of child morbidity among Gujjars. Treatment of the three childhood ailments under study is fairly high. The likelihood of using ORS increases with increase in the level of education of the mother. Breastfeeding is universal among Gujjars; however supplementation begins relatively early. Slightly more than half of the children begin breastfeeding within 24 hours of birth. Majority of children among Gujjars have stopped breastfeeding by 24-29 months of age. (authors)