Mapping the health indicators of Chhattisgarh: A public health perspective.

Introduction: The state of Chhattisgarh today faces several challenges in improving the health status of its people. The on-going problems of maternal and child mortality, communicable diseases, and HIV/AIDS pandemic still need greater interventions/support from the already overburdened health systems. In addition, the public health challenges include the escalating burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Keeping all these things in mind a study was carried out to have an overview of the public health scenario of Chhattisgarh. Aim: This paper aims to review the different public health indicators of Chhattisgarh. Materials and Methods: This study comprised of reviewing different health indicators of Chhattisgarh adopting three different methods during the period March-April 2013. The methods were: (i) extensive online search, (ii) reviewing the related literatures from different journals and other authentic printed materials, and (iii) information collected from public health experts through e-mail, telephone, or direct interaction. Results: Out of 2.55 crore populations in the state (as per Census 2011), 78% lives in rural areas and 37% of the population is tribal. The sex ratio is 968 and the literacy rate is 65.5% in population above 7 years of age. There is a shortage of trained health care providers in Chhattisgarh. The crude birth rate is 23.5 per 1000 (population Annual Health Survey [AHS] 2011-2012). The infant mortality rate is 48 per 1000 live births (SRS 2012). Malnutrition, anemia, sickle cell hemoglobinopathy, Beta thalassemia trait, and G6 PD enzyme defi ciency are very high among the tribes of Chhattisgarh. Malaria has been a major health problem. Chhattisgarh is one of the states with annual parasite index >5 (MRC report). The other states are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Southern Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Northeastern states. Conclusion: From a public health point of view, most of the health indicators are below national average and unsatisfactory. The human resources gap, poor physical infrastructure, inadequate health education and awareness, poor health-seeking behavior, and inadequate healthcare utilization compound the problem. Indicators related to health and health care delivery are outcomes of research in diverse fi elds other than the department of health. Putting them together and projecting them in a public health view point encourage others to focus on the neglected indicators/areas. However, further research is needed to have a clear database in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]