Government worried about teen pregnancies in India

The Health Ministry has released Family Planning Vision- 2030 document which indicated on teen pregnancies even after a stabilized fertility rate in India.

• India is the second largest country in the world. The country’s population is expected to continue to grow until mid-century; however, the population growth will decline substantially.
• India’s population has reached 136.3 crore (1.36 billion) and is expected to reach 147.9 crore (1.47 billion) by 2031 and further 152.2 crore (1.52 billion) by 2036.
• The adolescent population will reach 22.9 crore (229 million) by 2031 and further 22 crore (220 million) by 2036, which will be a cause of concern if the scenario of teen pregnancies remain to continue.

Let us see some data on these issues.

Key highlights

According to the Ministry of Health, these are the following observations:

• More Teen pregnancies: Over 118 districts reported high percentage of teenage pregnancies and are mostly concentrated in Bihar (19), West Bengal (15), Assam (13), Maharashtra (13), Jharkhand (10), Andhra Pradesh (7), and Tripura (4).
• Low age of Marriage: Over 44% of the districts in India reported high percentage of women marrying before they reach the age of 18.
• Less Use of Contraceptives: These districts were in the States of Bihar (17), West Bengal (8), Jharkhand (7), and Assam (4), two each in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. These districts also experience low rates of modern contraceptive use.

What is Fertility Rate?

• Total fertility rate (TFR)is the average number of children born to a woman in her reproductive years (15-49 years).
• The total fertility rate (TFR) is an important factor in determining the population growth and demographic stability of a country.

Replacement Level Fertility

• Replacement level fertility is the level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next, i.e., the level of fertility needed to keep the population the same from generation to generation.
• The TFR of 2.1 ensures the replacement of the woman and her partner. Another 0.1 children per woman are included to counteract infant mortality.

Decline in Fertility Rates vs. Teen Pregnancies

Important Government interventions

• Adolescent Friendly Health Services Program:Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram is there where female adolescents are sensitised about their health.
• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission (NHM).
• JSY is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme and it integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): PMMVY is a scheme for pregnant women and lactating mothers. The scheme has crossed the mark of 1 crore beneficiaries.