It was done for 2015-16. The survey was conducted after collecting information from 6 lakh households, 7 lakh women and 1.3 lakh men. For the first time it provides district level estimates.
Key Findings:
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR):
- It has declined from 57 to 41 per 1,000 live births between NFHS-3 (2005-06) and NFHS-4.
- IMR has declined substantially in almost all the states during the last decade.
- It reflects that concerted efforts and focussed interventions in the sector can translate to improved outcomes.
- Sex ratio at birth (number of females per 1,000 males):
- It has improved from 914 to 919 at the national level over the last decade.
- It is highest in Kerala (1,047), followed by Meghalaya (1,009) and Chhattisgarh (977).
- Haryana also witnessed a significant increase from 762 to 836.
- Institutional births: Increased by 40 percentage points from 38.7% in NFHS-3 to 78.9% in NFHS 4.
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): It also has declined to 2.2 children per woman from 2.7 in NFHS-3. Thus, it is moving closer to target level of 2.1.
- Underweight children:
- There was a decline by 7 percentage points, a consequence of improved child feeding practices and focus on nutritional aspects of children.
- There was “substantial” decline of anaemia from 69% in NFHS-3 to 58% in NFHS-4 among children aged 6-59 months.