Fertility among women on wane across AP: Survey

VIJAYAWADA: Total

fertility

rate (

TFR

) among

women

in Andhra Pradesh is much less than the national average of 2.3 per woman.


While the lowest TFR in the country is 1.6, AP has a TFR of 1.7, and the urban TFR is as low as 1.5, says the National Health Profile 2018.

At the state-level, the latest data on TFR is furnished by the Centre Population Development in 2013, which suggests that Kurnool district has seen a drastic decline in the recent past. From TFR 3.0 in 2001 to 2.2 in 2011, the number has dropped by 0.8 points, which is called a significant change.

Kurnool district continues to have the highest TFR in the state, while the least TFR of 1.5 is seen in the capital district, Krishna. This is followed by Guntur and the two Godavari districts with a TFR of 1.6.

Another district, Vizianagaram, has seen a fall in the TFR from 2.5 in 2001 to 1.8 by 2011.This is followed by

Srikakulam district

, which showed a decline of 0.6 points in the same decade.

The low fertility rates are worrisome trend across the globe and AP, which is one of the first states to adopt the policies of Globalisation, is falling prey to its side effects, say the experts.

The increasing stress levels in women has been a major contributor to the situation, said Dr Samaram, renowned sexologist and former national president of Indian Medical Association.

Dr Samaram added that awareness programmes about the ill effects of modern lifestyle on fertility levels among women should be taken up by both the government and NGOs. He also stressed that the government should increase the duration of maternity leaves to encourage women to give birth to children.

“Maternity leave for at least one year should be given to avoid miscarriages and ensure better health of both the child and the mother. Most offices do not have this facility and so, women employees are forced to either postpone their pregnancy or avoid it altogether, reducing their chances of becoming mothers,” he said.

He also added that many young women prefer not to have children because of nuclear familiars and lack of childcare facilities at workplaces.

“Attention should be paid to these two factors at the government-level as they have a drastic impact on the TFR rates,” he added.