The Journal of family welfare 

About: The Journal of family welfare is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Family planning. It has an ISSN identifier of 0022-1074. Over the lifetime, 469 publications have been published receiving 2479 citations.

Infertility in India -- levels patterns and consequences: priorities for social science research.

Abstract: Infertility has been relatively neglected as both a health problem and a subject for social science research in South Asia. Programs and research have focused upon the correlates of high fertility and its regulation rather than upon understanding the context of infertility its causes and consequences. Infertility affects 50-80 million couples worldwide at some point in their reproductive lives and has a variety of biological and behavioral determinants. In pronatalist countries such as India there can be devastating consequences for women who are unable to reproduce. The author describes what is known about infertility and identifies priority areas for social science research on the subject. Sections review defining infertility measuring infertility the determinants and correlates of infertility and the consequences of infertility.

Interface of alcohol and risky sexual behaviour among adolescents and youth in low income slums of Mumbai India.

Abstract: The present study is an effort to highlight the social circumstances under which adolescents are involved in alcohol abuse and risky sexual behavior in the context of low-income slums of Mumbai India. The specific objectives of this study were to: examine the extent of knowledge attitude and behaviour towards alcohol abuse and risky sexual practices among adolescents and youth; identify the contextual factors motivating adolescents and youth towards indulgence into risk behaviours for STDs/HIV; understand the role of social networks in the interface between alcohol abuse and risky sexual behaviours; and elicit comprehensive insights from stakeholders into the problems and prospects of risk reduction of STDs/HIV. It was assumed that types of social network and peer pressure among adolescents determine the inception of substance abuse alcohol abuse reduces the chances of safe sexual practices and the extent of knowledge of HIV reduces the risky sexual practices.

Increasing institutional delivery and access to emergency obstetric care services in rural Uttar Pradesh.

Abstract: DLHS-3 (2006-07) data reveal that in rural Uttar Pradesh (UP) only about one-fourth of women delivered their last child in an institution. In 2005 the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched as an intervention to address the barriers to institutional delivery through the introduction of community-based women volunteers called Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Women in rural areas in low performing states are given cash assistance for an institutional delivery and for a home delivery conducted by a skilled birth attendant (SBA). ASHAs are given a performance linked fee; they are paid for each woman they motivate for ANC and institutional delivery. ASHAs receive an initial training of three weeks in various aspects of maternal and child care. While initial evaluations of the JSY show improved rates of institutional delivery and that ASHAs provide valuable support during pregnancy and childbirth the scheme needs closer examination to assess how its performance could be enhanced so as to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5.

Impact of Janani Suraksha Yojana on selected family health behaviors in rural Uttar Pradesh.

Abstract: This article briefly explores the extent to which the JSY has succeeded in achieving its goal or promoting positive family health behaviors that have a significant bearing on maternal and neonatal mortality. More specifically it examines: (a) the extent to which the introduction of the JSY and ASHAs have helped in increasing ANC check-ups among pregnant women institutional delivery and postnatal care for women and their newborns (b) how other family health behaviors have been influenced by the JSY (c) the quality of services offered and the scope for improvement in the program. Results of the formative study clearly indicate that the JSY monetary incentives and non-incentivized services and counseling by the ASHA have increased client-provider contact the percentage of women receiving three ANC check-ups and seeking institutional delivery. These practices provide windows of opportunity for providing counseling and advice which in turn trigger the adoption of several other healthy behaviors that have a direct bearing on maternal and child health. The adoption of clusters of healthy behaviors due to increased contact and counseling is encouraging. However systematic efforts are required to improve the content of counseling to provide integrated information to influence multiple health behaviors and to reinforce messages through multiple contacts between healthcare providers and beneficiaries from the ANC period to the postpartum period. To get the maximum benefit from the JSY a number of systematic changes are necessary. Improvements in infrastructure and essential facilities at health institutions are critical to ensure that women stay at the clinic for at least 24 hours and get postnatal care. Improvements in staff behavior availability of skilled staff to manage basic EmOC and supply of essential drugs and equipment are also needed to improve the quality of services. Providing JSY incentives and improving quality of care would yield the best results. (Excerpts)

Demographic socio-economic and medical factors affecting maternal mortality -- an Indian experience.

Abstract: The crude death rate has declined over recent decades in India but there is no sign of a decline in the rate of maternal mortality. The authors look at factors which affect maternal mortality using a case control approach and subsequent odds ratio analysis. Relevant factors are studies with the goal of gaining insight on how to best plan efficient interventions aimed at reducing the level of maternal mortality. Data were collected through a one-to-one pairwise matched case control study design applied to 252 cases of maternal death occurring during 1983-85 at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi and an equal number of suitably matched controls for the same period. The following risk factors were identified in the following order of degree of risk: severe anemia assessed by an hemoglobin level below 8.5% the presence of hemorrhage as a complication of pregnancy the presence of toxaemia as a complication of pregnancy a short birth interval of less than two years since last childbirth mothers age below 20 years or 35 years and above and parity 0-5 or greater. Given the role of anemia in maternal mortality women urgently need to be taught how to prevent nutritional anemia and iron and folic acid need to be proved antenatally. The need and importance of antenatal care and routine check-ups should also be emphasized.