Pregnancy wastage in rural Varanasi: relationship with maternal nutrition and sociodemographic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between pregnancy wastage and matrnal undernutrition and other sociodemographic factors in rural Indian women.

SETTING

Rural community of Varanasi.

DESIGN

Longitudinal observation.

METHOD

In 49 villages during 1988-92, 8111 pregnancies were registered to observe for wastage. The pregnancy outcome was correlated with various factors.

RESULTS

There were 1321 abortions and 141 still births. Women's income < Rs. 250 per month, education < 10th class and protein intake < 50 g/day had significantly higher relative risks (RR) (4.1, 2.9 and 2.8, respectively) for abortions. Poor maternal nutrition was in additional important risk factor, for still births (RR 5.1 and 4.2 for maternal weight and height, respectively). A pregnancy interval over 2 years reduced both.

CONCLUSION

Low socioeconomic status, chronic undernutrition and illiteracy in rural India are associated with high pregnancy wastage.