Morbidities, practices, and seasonality: A study of women in low income households in Delhi.

Antenatal morbidities and associated malpractices are quite prevalent in slums of Delhi. This paper aims to highlight the relationship between calories intake, seasonality and gravida. It also draws attention towards inter-related aspects of antenatal practices and morbidity among women. Survey of 400 women conducted in the slums of Delhi indicated high occurrence of antenatal and post-natal malpractices. The findings indicated that discrepancies in the advice given by the medical practitioners and traditional birth attendants (TBAs). This was seen to adversely impact a majority of expectant mothers. The finding support a strong direct relationship between calories intake, seasonality morbidity and mortality patterns among women as well as their children. Although ample research has been done on homebirths and their challenges, the perspectives of TBAs (who assist in the majority of homebirths) remain unexamined. The present study sought to add to this knowledge base by uncovering various practices prevalent in low income households of a cosmopolitan city like Delhi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]