| Abstract: | In India neonatal mortality is responsible for 60%-65% of infant mortality and perinatal mortality is equally high: 60-70/1000 births. Low birth weight babies are at a 3-4 times higher risk of dying than normal weight babies. 2/3rds of all 1st-week deaths have been found preventable. In addition to its medical component health is composed of social, psychological, behavioral, and economic factors. Health status is associated with the literacy of the mother and her social status. Pregnancies starting around 15-16 years of age adversely impact maternal health and life. Between the ages of 15 and 35 women are either pregnant or nursing. Extremely young or old maternal age, anemia, toxemia, hemorrhage, sepsis, and cephalopelvic disproportion result in maternal and neonatal deaths. The Indian health infrastructure has about 1000.000 subcenters and 16.000 primary health centers. At these centers a trained medical worker is entrusted with providing care for a population of 5000. |
