Reasons for obstetric referrals from community facilities to a tertiary obstetric facility: A study from Southern Karnataka.

Context: Pregnancy-related preventable morbidity and mortality remain high in India. Safe delivery services should focus on improving neonatal and maternal outcomes while also enabling a positive childbirth experience. However, high rates of intrapartum obstetric referrals are common.

Birth rights and rituals in rural south India: care seeking in the intrapartum period.

Maternal morbidity and mortality are high in the Indian context, but the majority of maternal deaths could be avoided by prompt and effective access to intrapartum care (WHO, 1999). Understanding the care seeking responses to intrapartum morbidities is crucial if maternal health is to be effectively improved, and maternal mortality reduced. This paper presents the results of a prospective study of 388 women followed through delivery and traditional postpartum in rural Karnataka in southern India.

Nutrition education and infant growth in rural Indian infants: narrowing the gender gap?

Growth faltering and malnutrition are highly prevalent in most South Asian countries. Among the serious consequences of malnutrition are increased risks of morbidity and mortality in children as well as deficits in physical stature and lowered cognitive measures. Childhood malnutrition in poor households has been well documented in India, with the highest rates observed in those aged 12-23 months.