| |
Status of Young Child in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu state presents contradictions and disparities in the levels of social - economic and health care development in different regions and districts
Though the state average for key child survival and development indicators is good, there are pockets of backwardness where these indicators are almost at the same level as those in poor performing states.
| Total Population (0-6 years) |
6,817,669 |
Male |
3,51,5562 |
Female |
3,30,2107 |
Despite great strides in women’s development, the child sex ratio has shown a steady downward trend and is 942 girls per 1000 boys as per the 2001 census, down from 948 in 1991 indicating the prevalence of infanticide and female feticide. Five districts have a sex ratio of below 900 in the state. There are blocks where the juvenile female sex ratio is less than 700.
Neonatal mortality which constitutes 70% of IMR and child malnutrition are major concerns. The state still has 33% of its children in the 0-3 age group malnourished.
Tamil Nadu Status |
NFHS-3 (2005-06) |
Child Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status of Children 2,3 |
|
1. Children under 3 years breastfed within one hour of birth (%) |
55.3 |
2. Children age 0-5 months exclusively breastfed (%) |
33.3 |
3. Children age 6-9 months receiving solid or semi-solid food and
Breastmilk (%) |
77.9 |
4. Children under 3 years who are stunted (%) |
31.1 |
5. Children under 3 years who are wasted (%) |
22.9 |
6. Children under 3 years who are underweight (%) |
25.9 |
7. Immunization coverage % of 12-23 months children who have received all recommended vaccines |
81% |
|
|
Anaemia among Children and Adults |
|
8. Children age 6-35 months who are anaemic (%) |
72.7 |
9. Ever-married women age 15-49 who are anaemic (%) |
53.9 |
10. Pregnant women age 15-49 who are anaemic (%) |
54.6 |
11. Ever-married men age 15-49 who are anaemic (%) |
16.9 |
Exclusive breast feeding at 33.3% as against an India average of 45.3% is an area seeking priority attention. Though the state has started procuring vitamin A from their own budget, the coverage levels are low at 37.2%. Anemia is a major concern with 53.5% women and 72.5 % children anemic in the state (NFHS - III, 2006).
The fast track industrialization in the state has also led to rapid urbanization with almost half the population in the state living in urban areas. Large scale migration poses new urban problems like informal settlements and resettlement colonies. The IMR in urban areas has been stagnant in the recent years.
|
