Patterns of deliveries in rural area of Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Introduction This study was conducted to study the pattern of deliveries in rural areas of Nandyala & to observe the association of delivery pattern with socio-cultural and economic factors. Methodology A community based cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out during 2016 for a period of one year, in a Rural area Nandivargam of Nandyala district having 5400 populations of which Sample size of 455 were taken. The study subjects selected were the mothers who delivered within last 6 years. The data was analysed and interpreted using SPSS. Results Majority of the women belonged to 23 years, 70% were Hindus, and 11% women delivered babies at their residence. 60% of home delivery respondents belonged to lower middle class. There was an equal proportion of respondents from the category of home delivery were from nuclear joint and extended families, 52% of the women were illiterates which is statistically significant. Majority of home deliveries were conducted by 40% of their relatives. 81% of the home delivery respondents were initiated breast feeding within 0-1 hour after birth, 42% from all respondents were initiated weaning after 6 months which was a correct method. 89% of population that used health facility for delivery was attended by skilled birth attendants which was still low when compared to the national target of 100%, though there was some improvement when compared to the past national average. Conclusion For delivery in health facility increased with increase in education level, being from high income group. Majority were initiated breast feeding within one hour.