The Hindu : Study finds rise in abortion cases

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 05, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Study finds rise in abortion cases

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 4. The incidence of abortion is increasing in several parts of the State with Malappuram district topping the list with 13.4 per cent, according to a study by the Child Development Centre of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.

The study report on the parenting practices has called for a detailed study into the causes for such abortions in the State. It stressed the need for taking protein-rich food to prevent the birth of low birthweight babies.

The people are not seriously concerned about the antenatal check-up during the first three months of pregnancy, which, according to the study, might be due to lack of awareness. An alarming aspect, which has been found during the course of the study, is that most of the children were being conditioned to watch television by their parents to enable their mother to get free time thus paving way for the disorders like autism.

Though the joint families have disappeared, most of the mothers prefer joint families for bringing up their children. The role of grandparents is getting more predominant in childcare and development in the new millennium. Most of the parents are also reluctant to make use of crèche facilities too, according to the report.

Though the State was having best health indexes, low birthweight of 18.4 per cent was recorded, which stresses the need for community intervention strategies, the report says.

The study was conducted in Malappuram, which represented economically backward community, Kozhikode for the rural population, Idukki for the tribal population and Thiruvananthapuram for urban population.

The study team found that the reason for the separation from the family was migration for employment, 27 per cent inside the country and 53.7 per cent abroad. The higher per cent of migration was found among the members of the Muslim community in Kozhikode where more number of men are employed in the Gulf countries.

It was found that Malappuram had the lowest immunisation coverage facility for all preventable diseases. The study points out that most of the men in Malappuram were of the belief that use of vaccines would cause sterility. Malappuram also has the highest number of low birthweight problems, which, according to the study, might have been due to the practice of marriage below 18 years.

The study stressed the need for strengthening the policies of the Government in the field of child development.

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