Research on Reproductive Health Problems in Rural Areas and Urban Slums
In view of the vast experience of the Executive Secretary, Dr S. Gunasekaran in reproductive health issues in rural India, we have thought it fit undertake the research on new issues that have arisen in relation to running reproductive health programme in the rural areas.  Dr Gunasekaran had done pioneering research in this field as early as the 1970s having been involved in the World Health Organisation sponsored international research project on family formation patterns and family health.  In fact, this particular research provided the raison d ‘etre for WHO getting involved deeply in this field when it was very much connected with only family planning and later on family welfare. (See for example, Omaran, A.R and Stanley, C.C;,(eds.)  Family Formation Patterns and Health. World Health Organisation, 1976 and nine chapters in the book which was co-authored by Dr Gunasekaran)  This pioneering research was instrumental in effecting evolutionary changes in the semantics in this field which started off with ‘birth control program’ initially to metamorphose into family planning and later on family welfare and now the related substantive programmes and activities  are covered under the general heading of reproductive health issues.  Our research has tried to concentrate on issues that related to child care, pre-natal, post-natal, and childhood morbidity and mortality.  Childhood morbidity levels have an important bearing on the physical and mental development of children and as such have assumed great significance. Recognizing conditions during pregnancy, and during delivery also influence later development and growth of children, we have taken up this issue. Though infant mortality which when compared to a state like Kerala in India, is still high, we need to look at making a dent on the more or less stationary levels of infant death rates and with that view we have taken up a study of the prenatal and post natal conditions of the mother and children. With significant reductions in infant and child mortality, the attention has now shifted to the problem of stunting among children where the mental and growth rate of children are much below required standards elsewhere.  This would eventually result in a labour force of poor physical and mental ability.  Therefore, we have taken up a study of the problem of stunting among children and the related causal factors so that appropriate remedial measures could be undertaken.  WHO also has recognized this as an emerging issue in developing countries and drawn the attention of the governments to this problem.  The data are being collected for this study.