Skilled Birth Attendance across Geographical Regions in India: Rural-Urban Differentials, 1992-2006

Abstract

Large numbers of women die globally due to pregnancy and childbirth-related causes,
especially in less developed countries. Most of them die because they have no access to
skilled birth attendance (SBA) and emergency care during pregnancy complications. This
study assesses the inequality in the coverage of SBA during 1992-2006 in six regions of
India. Data from all three rounds of National Family Health Survey conducted in 1992-93,
1998-99 and 2005-06 were used. The bi-variate analysis predicted probability obtained
from logistic regression and concentration index were performed (a) to examine the trends
and patterns, and (b) to show the within-group inequality in SBA in the six regions of
India. The analysis of change over fifteen year period (1992-2006) shows considerable
inequality in the coverage of SBA across regions. East, West and South regions have
experienced a higher rate of increase in SBA than North and Central regions. The study
suggests that periodic monitoring of the progress of SBA is vital to assess the differential
between and within the group beyond average improvement.