Pregnancy wastage in rural Varanasi: relationship with maternal nutrition and sociodemographic characteristics.

Publication/Presentation Date

11-1-1998

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between pregnancy wastage and matrnal undernutrition and other sociodemographic factors in rural Indian women.

SETTING: Rural community of Varanasi.

DESIGN: Longitudinal observation.

METHOD: In 49 villages during 1988-92, 8111 pregnancies were registered to observe for wastage. The pregnancy outcome was correlated with various factors.

RESULTS: There were 1321 abortions and 141 still births. Women's income < Rs. 250 per month, education < 10th class and protein intake < 50 g/day had significantly higher relative risks (RR) (4.1, 2.9 and 2.8, respectively) for abortions. Poor maternal nutrition was in additional important risk factor, for still births (RR 5.1 and 4.2 for maternal weight and height, respectively). A pregnancy interval over 2 years reduced both.

CONCLUSION: Low socioeconomic status, chronic undernutrition and illiteracy in rural India are associated with high pregnancy wastage.

Volume

35

Issue

11

First Page

1071

Last Page

1079

ISSN

0019-6061

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

10216541

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

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