Family has always been an important unit of analysis in an effort to improve and understand human development. Studying the changes in the institution of family and households keeping in view the demographic, social, and economic transitions also becomes imperative. So far, in our knowledge, there are very few studies based in India have investigated the household size and family formation patterns, while a few of them have looked into its possible causes or associations and demographic, economic, and social repercussions. In particular, as per our knowledge, there is no evidence on who is losing and who is gaining among family members due to the unprecedented transition in family forms in India. This paper serves a twofold purpose as first it seeks to explore and enrich the field of family demography in India by studying the existing evidence in the field as well as allied fields to understand how family serves as the nuclei directing individuals and communities toward certain behaviors and choices which consequently translate into larger social, economic and demographic transitions. Second, it also discusses the missing links and scope in the field of family demography in India as compared to the developed societies to provide future research prospects in this area.

Despite the existence of several policies and programs, anemia among pregnant and lactating women continues to be a serious concern for public health policy in India. The main objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant and lactating versus nonpregnant nonlactating (NP-NL) women for priority setting in health policies of the country. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS3) conducted in 2005-2006 has been used for the analyses of this study. The results revealed that the prevalence of anemia was higher among lactating women (63%), followed by pregnant women (59%) than NP-NL women (53%). Younger lactating (71%) and older pregnant women (67%) had a higher burden of anemia. Along with socioeconomic factors, demographic indicators such as children ever born and program factors like nutrition advice and supplementary nutrition during anti natal care and postnatal care emerged as significant predictors in the case of anemia among both pregnant and lactating women, while socioeconomic indicators emerged as critical factors in the case of anemia among NP-NL women. Hence, targeting demographic and program factors, along with key socioeconomic and demographic factors in public health policy, is critical in reducing anemia among lactating and pregnant women, while targeting significant socioeconomic factors is the key for reducing anemia among NP-NL women.

Objectives The major objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of labour room violence (LRV) (one of the forms of obstetric violence) faced by the women during the time of delivery in Uttar Pradesh (UP) (the largest populous state of India which is also considered to be a microcosm of India). Furthermore, this study also analyses the association between prevalence of obstetric violence and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. Design The study was longitudinal in design with the first visit to women made at the time of first trimester. The second visit was made at the time of second trimester and the last visit was made after the delivery. However, we have continuously tracked women over phone to keep record of developments and adverse consequences. Settings Urban and rural areas of UP, India. Participants Sample of 504 pregnant women was systematically selected from the Integrated Child Development Scheme Register of pregnant women. Outcome We aimed to assess the levels and determinants of LRV using data collected from 504 pregnant women in a longitudinal survey conducted in UP, India. The dataset comprised three waves of survey from the inception of pregnancy to childbirth and postnatal care. Logistic regression model has been used to assess the association between prevalence of LRV faced by the women at the time of delivery and their background characteristics. Result About 15.12% of women are facing LRV in UP, India. Results from logistic regression model (OR) show that LRV is higher among Muslim women (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 4.3) relative to Hindu women (OR 1). The prevalence of LRV is higher among lower castes relative to general category, and is higher among those women who have no mass media exposure (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 12.8) compared with those who have (OR 1). Conclusion In comparison with global evidence, the level of LRV in India is high. Women from socially disadvantaged communities are facing higher LRV than their counterparts.

To advance the goal of “Grand Convergence” in global health by 2035, this study tested the convergence hypothesis in the progress of the health status of individuals from 193 countries, using both standard and cutting-edge convergence metrics. The study used multiple data sources. The methods section is categorized into two parts. (1) Health inequality measures were used for estimating inter-country inequalities. Dispersion Measure of Mortality (DMM) is used for measuring absolute inequality and Gini Coefficient for relative inequality. (2) We tested the standard convergence hypothesis for the progress in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB) during 1950 to 2015 using methods ranging from simple graphical tools (catching-up plots) to standard parametric (absolute β and σ-convergence) and nonparametric econometric models (kernel density estimates) to detect the presence of convergence (or divergence) and convergence clubs. The findings lend support to the "rise and fall" of world health inequalities measured using Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). The test of absolute β-convergence for the entire period and in the recent period supports the convergence hypothesis for LEB (β = -0.0210 [95% CI -0.0227 - -0.0194], p<0.000) and rejects it for IMR (β = 0.0063 [95% CI 0.0037–0.0089], p<0.000). However, results also suggest a setback in the speed of convergence in health status across the countries in recent times, 5.4% during 1950–55 to 1980–85 compared to 3% during 1985–90 to 2010–15. Although inequality based convergence metrics showed evidence of divergence replacing convergence during 1985–90 to 2000–05, from the late 2000s, divergence was replaced by re-convergence although with a slower speed of convergence. While the non-parametric test of convergence shows an emerging process of regional convergence rather than global convergence. We found that with a current rate of progress (2.2% per annum) the “Grand convergence” in global health can be achieved only by 2060 instead of 2035. We suggest that a roadmap to achieve “Grand Convergence” in global health should include more radical changes and work for increasing efficiency with equity to achieve a “Grand convergence” in health status across the countries by 2035.

The gender-inequality is a critical economic challenge that has a significant negative impact on global economic prospects. In this context, this study aims to investigate the association between gender inequality and growth outcomes in the form of gross domestic product (GDP hereafter) per-capita across 158 countries in the world during 2000-15. Our findings suggest that GII has a significant inverse correlation with GDP per-capita (r=-0.7886); While gender development index (GDI hereafter) shows a positive correlation with GDP per-capita (r=0.574). Results from the multivariate log-linear model show that country with a high level of gender inequality index (GII hereafter) is having significantly lower levels of GDP per-capita even after controlling for other covariates. This study evidentially suggests that the economic policy of the countries should prioritize autonomy, agency, and empowerment of women to improve their participation in the national economy. Unless countries reduce gender inequalities, achieving full economic potential is not possible.

Against the backdrop of the alarming rise in Caesarean section (C-section) births in India, this study aimed to examine the association between C-section births, fertility decline and female sterilization in the country. A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the association between C-section delivery and subsequent reproductive behaviour in women in India. Data were from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). The study sample comprised 255,726 currently married women in the age group of 15–49 years. The results showed a strong positive relationship between C-section births and female sterilization. The predicted probabilities (PP) from the multivariate regression model indicated a higher chance of female sterilization in women with C-section births (PP = 0.39,p<0.01) compared with those with non-C-section births (PP = 0.20,p<0.01). Both state-level correlation plots and Poisson regression estimates showed a strong negative relationship between C-section births and mean children ever born (CEB). Based on the results, it may be concluded that the use of C-sections and sterilization were strongly correlated in India at the time of the NFHS-4, thus together contributing to fertility decline. A strong negative association was found between the occurrence of C-sections and CEB. The increased and undesired use of C-section births and consequent female sterilization is a regressive socio-demographic process that often violates women’s rights. Fertility decline should happen through informed choice of family planning and must protect the reproductive rights of women.