Maternal Health Situation in North-East India: A Case Study of the Khasis.

This paper is focused on few trajectories of mother and child health in the north eastern India taking Khasis as a case. Data on reproductive performance of mother and child healthcare practices were collected from 399 women in their reproductive ages; ANC and PNC practices, child immunization and breastfeeding behavior were obtained along with awareness level of HIV-AIDS and RTIs; 239 women were also screened for iron-deficiency. Anemia is found to be one the factors affecting maternal health. The age is found to be non-significant with respect to perceptions on pregnancy and child care. Common fertility and mortality indicators such as crude birth rate (CBR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) are lower than the average figures of Indian and rest of northeastern states. There is clear indication for lack of awareness particularly with respect to reproductive tract infections. Socio-economic status and cultural barriers might have played crucial role in accessing available healthcare utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]