Women’s Health Status and Child Health
Gulnawaz Usmani, Prof. Nighat Ahmad

Abstract
During a period of higher economic growth and reduction in poverty, mortality, especially among women was not reducing. India, experiences a higher number of maternal mortality ratio, compared to develop and some developing countries. During pregnancy nutrition play a crucial role in the health status of women. Malnutrition is something that limits development and the capacity to work. This paper deals with the most important issue of human development: Maternal and Child Health. Maternal Health is of special importance because the influence of maternal health goes beyond maternal mortality to child mortality, child malnutrition. In this paper, we seek to examine (1) the extent of women’s malnutrition related to rural-urban location. (2) The effect of women malnutrition on child health (infant mortality). The study is based on secondary data from various sources. If women are malnourished, anemic and suffer from other health problem, then the maternal mortality and infant mortality will be high and this will ultimately affect the health of children. According to the world health organization, malnutrition is the biggest contributor to child mortality and is more common in India and in other developing countries. Maternal malnutrition tends to increase the risk of maternal mortality, high and low BMI and iron deficiency anemia, which increases the risk of death of the mother at delivery, account for at least 20% of maternal mortality (Black et. Al, 2008). These problems, along with the higher incidence of women’s malnutrition in India, make the present paper important and relevant.

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