The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is an important source of information on the periodic progress made on several key health indicators. Among other things, the survey tracks nutritional status of mother and child and the quality of antenatal and post-natal services at the state and district level. Recently, the NFHS 5 data (Phase-1) was released for select states and their districts facilitating for the first time a panel data analysis at the district level.
Publications
Policy Brief: Preterm delivery patterns in Jharkhand as revealed by HMIS data 2017-18 to 2019-20
This note analyses the data on preterm births in Jharkhand as available from the HMIS (Health Management Information System) data for the three pre-pandemic years 2017-18 to 2019-20. This data is important, both as surrogate for maternal health as well as early warning system for handling the burden of child malnutrition. We examine the consistency of the data, the burden and incidence of preterm births, and regional clusters, if any. It emerges that the districts – Gumla, Paschim Singhbhum and Purbi Singhbhum have high prevalence of preterm births. The analysis also reveals the need to pay attention to the tribal districts.
AARDO and IIT Bombay inaugurate international online training programme on “Food and Nutrition Security in a Post-Pandemic World”
14th-23rd September 2021: AARDO – IITB Online International Training Programme on “Food and Nutrition Security in a Post Pandemic World”
Making India malnutrition free – Mere Paas DM Hai !
Making India malnutrition free – taking the LAGAAN approach

Lagaan was a path-breaking movie. It showed how an underdog can emerge victorious against all odds given unity, focus and right skills or training. It was also path breaking as a communication tool using a one-day cricket narrative, for a pre-independence era story. We could fruitfully use this narrative to plan for a malnutrition free India
Birth seasonality trends across India
Refresher Training through Quiz App for capacity building of Community Healthcare Workers or Anganwadi Workers in India
Majhi, A., Joshi, A., Agnihotri, S. B., & Mondal, A. (2021, May).
An android based quiz app was designed, following AWWs training modules’ content and need assessment results. The study investigates the quiz app’s effectiveness and compares it with conventional classroom instruction, with a group of AWWs, and discusses ways to make it an adequate substitute.