The survey was carried out in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Orissa and Chhattisgarh – during July 2010-March 2011. These 9 states which account for about 48 per cent of the total population of the country, are the high focus states in view of their relatively higher fertility and mortality indicators.
Sex ratio at birth (SRB) – the number of female live births per 1,000 male – ranged between 764 (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand) and 1,030 (Moradabad, UP).
In around 44% of the 284 districts, there were less than 900 women for every 1,000 men. Uttarakhand recorded the lowest female births, while Chhattisgarh the highest. Four districts recorded SRB between 751 and 800, 29 between 801 and 850, 92 between 851 and 900, 41 between 951 and 1,000 and around six between 1,001 and 1,050.
The Health Survey said six districts of the eight empowered Action Group States have attained the UN Millennium Development Goal by reducing the infant mortality rate to 28. This UN target was to be achieved by 2015.
The survey concluded that 100 districts contribute for about 50 per cent of total infant deaths in these nine states. Mr. Chandramouli said that the indicators will help the government plan action in the districts where the indicators are adverse.
“This is the first time an annual health survey at the district level has been done. It gives idea as to how things are in that particular area and important indicators like MMR, IMR and the female sex ratio will help charter our programme towards the areas where attention is most needed”, Chandramouli said.