Verbal Autopsy Study for Perinatal and Under- 5 deaths in urban informal settlements of Mumbai, India

The study focuses on investigating the causes and contributing factors behind perinatal and under-5 deaths in urban informal settlements of Mumbai, India. It uses a method called verbal autopsy, which involves conducting semi-structured interviews with family members of the deceased to determine the probable causes of death. This approach is particularly useful in areas where medical certification of death is often unavailable.

The research was conducted by SNEHA, a Mumbai-based non-profit organization, and aimed to understand the causes of these deaths in order to design effective prevention strategies tailored to the local context. The study was carried out in vulnerable slum areas where SNEHA was already engaged in child health and nutrition programs. The study included 31 cases and employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the data collected from verbal autopsy interviews.

Key findings from the study revealed that a significant proportion of the deaths occurred in the neonatal period, with respiratory issues such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome being the most common causes of death. The study also noted delays in reaching healthcare facilities in many cases, contributing to the mortality rate. Additionally, the majority of the mothers had accessed antenatal care, mostly from government facilities, but issues such as low birth weight and complications during delivery were prevalent.

The conclusions emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to reduce neonatal mortality, increasing community awareness about childhood morbidity, and improving the capacity of health facilities to manage serious complications. These measures are seen as crucial steps in reducing the burden of perinatal and under-5 deaths in these communities.