MATERNAL MORTALITY IN INDIA - ESTIMATES FROM A REGRESSION-MODEL

This report outlines a new technique for the estimation of maternal mo rtality by relating the sex differentials in mortality for people of r eproductive age to the age schedule of fertility. The application of t his method to the data from the Sample Registration System for 1982-86 indicates a level of maternal mortality of 580 deaths per 100,000 liv e births for India as a whole, 638 deaths in rural areas, and 389 deat hs in urban areas. Estimates derived for the major states suggest rela tively high maternal mortality in the eastern and northern parts of th e country. They also indicate a substantial decline in maternal mortal ity since the 1960s. The decline in the birth rate is estimated to hav e accounted for nearly one-fourth of the decrease in the maternal deat h rate and 5 percent of the fall in the maternal mortality ratio in th e 10-year period between 1972-76 and 1982-86. The method of estimation described here is well-suited to the data circumstances in India.