Infant under 5 mortality rate rises from 13.2 to 22.9 in Tripura: NFHS Survey

Agartala: The infant mortality rate (IMR), under-five mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, and anaemia among women in Tripura have deteriorated, as per the first phase data of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-20. The report was released by the Union ministry of health and family welfare on December 12.

The survey data belongs to 17 states and five Union territories. The survey captured the data regarding the health status in these states and Union territories before COVID pandemic hit the states. The phase two survey data will be available by May 2021.

Tripura's neo-natal mortality was 13.2 per 1,000 live births in 2015-16. However, it has risen to 22.9 per 1,000 live births in the present survey. The IMR has increased from 26.7 to 37.6 and the under-five mortality rate has risen from 32.7 to 43.3. The rates are almost double in the rural areas as compared to the urban areas.

IMR refers to the number of deaths per thousand live births of children under the age of 1.

Around 64.3 per cent of children between 6-59 months are anaemic, said the report. 61.5 per cent pregnant between the age of 15-49 years were found to be anaemic, while 67.4 per cent non-pregnant women were anaemic.

The proportion of underweight kids has also risen as compared to 2015-16 survey data. Up to 25.6 per cent of children below five years of age were found to be overweight, while it was 24.1 per cent in 2015-16.

The study also found out that gender-based violence, women empowerment have also grown in the last four years.

The survey study was conducted among 7,314 women across 7,209 households of Tripura. The Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) conducted the study between July 4 and November 10, 2019.

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