National Family Health Survey: History, Objectives, and Key Findings of NFHS 5

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in a representative sample of households throughout India. Its primary objective is to provide the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) with detailed and reliable data on various health and family welfare issues. This data then assists the MOHFW in developing and implementing policies and programs aimed at improving the well-being of the country's vulnerable groups. The inaugural NFHS took place in 1992-93, and since then, four additional rounds have been conducted. 

This article delves into the specifics of the NFHS, including its relevance to the IAS Exam.

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About the National Family Health Survey

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is conducted in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences. It is a comprehensive and government-sponsored cohort study. It aims to collect reliable and up-to-date information on various aspects of health and family welfare in India. The survey focuses on gathering data related to fertility, family planning, mortality, maternal and child health, and other key health indicators.

History of the National Family Health Survey

• The first round of the National Family Health Survey took place in 1992-93, and it was conducted in three phases.
• The primary objective of the survey was to gather accurate and current data on fertility, family planning, mortality, and maternal and child health.
• Subsequently, three more rounds of the survey were conducted between 1998 and 2016.
• The latest survey, known as NFHS-5, began in 2019 but faced interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of NFHS-5 were released in December 2020.
• Based on the NFHS-5 findings, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare established a technical expert group. This group addresses issues related to malnutrition, stunting, anemia, and C-sections.

Objectives of the National Family Health Survey

The main purpose of the NFHS is to gather information on a variety of topics, including:

• Fertility rates
• Maternal and child health
• Reproductive health
• Nutrition levels
• Prevalence of anaemia
• Infant and child mortality rates
• Family planning practices

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List of National Family Health Surveys

To date, five rounds of the National Family Health Survey have been conducted. The following list details the year in which each round was carried out:

• National Family Health Survey 1 - 1992-93
• National Family Health Survey 2 - 1998-99
• National Family Health Survey 3 - 2005-06
• National Family Health Survey 4 - 2015-16
• National Family Health Survey 5 - 2018-19

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National Family Health Survey 5

Source: People’s Archive of Rural India

The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, known as NFHS 5, is the most recent iteration of this comprehensive survey. The MoHFW, with assistance from the International Institute for Population Sciences in Mumbai and a consortium of survey organisations and Population Research Centres, is overseeing its execution. The United States Agency for International Development is providing financial support, while ICF International is offering technical assistance.

The NFHS-5 collected data during the 2019-20 period, with around seven lakh households participating in the survey. The data collection process utilised 67 indicators to gather a wide range of information. These indicators included:

• Population and household profiles
• Marriage and fertility rates
• Family planning practices
• Contraception usage
• Maternal and child health
• Delivery care standards
• Vaccination rates
• Treatment of childhood diseases
• Nutrition and feeding practices
• Prevalence of anaemia
• Incidence of diabetes
• Hypertension rates
• Cancer screening

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Key Findings of the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS 5)

• Child Marriages: An increase in child marriages was observed in Manipur (16.3% up from 13.7% in 2015-16), Tripura (40.1% up from 33.1% in 2015-16), and Assam (31.8% up from 30.8% in 2015-16). Additionally, states such as Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland reported an increase in teenage pregnancies.
• Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): The SRB fell below 900 in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. However, the majority of states had a normal or above-normal SRB of 952 or higher.
• Infant & Child Mortalities: Most Indian states saw a decrease in infant and child mortality rates. Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa and Assam made the most significant improvements, with sharp reductions in neonatal mortality rate (NMR), infant mortality rate (IMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR).
• Spousal Violence: Five states, namely Sikkim, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka, saw an increase in spousal violence. Karnataka experienced the most significant increase, with spousal violence rates rising from 20.6% in NFHS 4 to 44.4% in NFHS-5.
• Child Nutrition: The indicators for child nutrition showed a mixed pattern across states. While some states and Union Territories saw improvements, others experienced minor deteriorations.

We hope all your doubts regarding this topic have been addressed after going through this article. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App!