National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2) India 1998-99. Maharashtra.

This book presents the findings of the second National Family Health Survey conducted (NFHS-2) in 1998-99 in Maharashtra India. Coordinated by the International Institute for Population Sciences the survey collected information from 5830 households and interviewed 5390 eligible women about fertility the practice of family planning infant and child mortality maternal and child health and the utilization of health services provided to mothers and children. In addition information was also collected from 1810 children born to eligible women in the 3 years preceding the survey. It was noted that 83% of males and 61% of female age six and above are literate. Furthermore the survey revealed that 93% of the women in Maharashtra are involved in decision-making in the household but only half are involved in making decisions about their own health care. In addition it was found that fertility in the state is low but still above the replacement level most women are married at a very young age and women have their first birth early. Son preference continues to have a very strong influence on womens contraceptive use especially on their use of terminal methods. Moreover it was noted that the infant mortality is 55% higher among children born to mothers under 20 than to mothers age 20-29. Given the results of the survey recommendations are presented.