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.