4. Study design and period
India is the second-most populous country in the world with a Fertility rate (births per woman) of 2.2 in 2020 which were 5.9 in 1960 [17]. This cross-sectional observational research study was conducted in India across all public health facilities of all the 36 states and union territories of India from January 2018 to December 2020.
A public health facility-based retrospective mixed cross-sectional study was conducted for infants and pregnant women who utilized the available free services under JSSK in the public health facilities across 36 states and UTs of India from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2020. The first COVID-19 case in India was identified on the 27th of January 2020[18]. Hence for this research study, the year before 2020 i.e. 2018, and 2019 were considered as the pre-pandemic period and the year 2020 was considered as the pandemic period. The JSSK health services utilized were compared during the covid-19 pandemic period i.e.2020 with 2018 and 2019 the pre-pandemic era. The most important confounders were taken into account as per data availability and results were calculated for JSSK health services utilization in the pandemic era which was compared with the pre-pandemic era to assess the impact of COVID-19 on JSSK free health services utilization.
5. Setting
This cross-sectional observational research study was carried out by continuous collection, observation, and analysis of public health facilities data from the HMIS of MoHFW. The populations covered were PW and infants from 36 states and union territories of India who accessed any public health facilities and received/benefitted from JSSK free entitlements. As per the data obtained from HMIS, the total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities during the study period were 60547407 numbers of PWs. The financial burden of JSSK free health services in the public/government hospital of India is cost-free, covered partly by state / UTs and central governments.
The JSSK entitles above mentioned free service utilization to all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions only and sick babies and infants up to one year of age accessing public health institutions only for treatment. Hence this research study was done only over the public health facilities of India. Also, we know that the confounder is a variable associated or related to both the variable of interest/study (here it was free health services utilization at public health facilities provided under JSSK) and the outcome of interest. The most important confounders (which can interfere with the outcome) included in this study were
- Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities
- Live Birth - Male at public health facilities
- Live Birth - Female at public health facilities
- Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities
- Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
Here it is also important to state that number 1 above is an independent variable whereas others 2,3,4,5 and services utilized under JSSK are dependent variables in this research study.
6. Participants
The actual participants were all the PWs registered for ANC at public health facilities and PWs as well as infants who utilized JSSK free health services at any public health facilities of choice in India across 36 states and UTs, during the study period of this research study, were considered as the study population. A total of 60547407 numbers of pregnant women and 30706393 institutional deliveries who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this research study.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical approval was not applicable for this research study as we have not done any human or animal trials etc. or involved them in such a way that requires ethical approvals. Added to this, the data utilized is available to the public and we had not disclosed any hidden or secret data. The purpose of this research study is well explained above, and ethical approval is not applicable for such studies in India based on data available in the public domain. The researcher is a medical doctor working for the government of Bihar, India and this research study is a part of the author's independent self-financed research works.
Sample Size and Sampling Technique
A total of 60547407 numbers of PWs and 30706393 institutional deliveries registered at public health facilities only in India across different states and UTs were included in this research study with a purposive sampling technique. The data required for this study purpose were collected from HMIS of the MoHFW which is the only available most accredited data source in India. The total number of variables/indicators including confounders and those derived from available data for the study were fifteen (15). The data were collected and analyzed with the help of Microsoft office and stata15.1 software. Live male and female birth variables were kept under section other analyses.
7. Variables
Study Variables and Operational Definition
The outcome variables for this research study were JSSK health care free services utilization by any PWs and infants across 36 states and UTs of India during the study period. JSSK health care free services utilization for this study was defined as follows:
- Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities ( registration of ANC is a free service and included in the research study to reduce bias as well as potential confounders recognized during the research study)
- Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
- Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diet under JSSK
- Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
- Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
- Number of Pregnant Women provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
- Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
- Number of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
- Number of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
- Number of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
- Number of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
- Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
- Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities ( institutional deliveries conducted at public health facilities is a free service and included in the research study to reduce bias as well as potential confounder recognized during the research study)
- Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
- Total C -Section deliveries performed per 1000 institutional deliveries at public health facilities (C -Section deliveries / 1000 performed at public health facilities is a free service and included in the research study to reduce bias as well as potential confounders recognized during the research study)
8. Data sources/measurement
Data Collection and Quality Assurance
Fifteen (15) variable/indicator data from HMIS registered health services utilization under the umbrella of JSSK of the Government of India providing free maternal and child healthcare services were selected purposively (sampling) to find out the impact of COVID‑19 pandemic on JSSK free health services utilization across public health facilities in 36 states and UTs of India and were continuously collected, observed-analyzed using Microsoft office and stata15.1 software from electronic records of HMIS-MoHFW. The data were checked for specificity, measurability, accuracy, reliability, completeness, and consistency.
Data Management and Analysis
The data obtained were checked for any inconsistencies, missing values, incompleteness, etc then collected into Microsoft office software and further exported to STATA15.1 for further analysis. Data collection was done with Microsoft office from HMIS-Government of India and ethical approval is not required for such research studies based on government data in the public domain. Data related to JSSK healthcare services and for possible confounders were obtained from HMIS for the pandemic period 2020 and compared with pre-pandemic data for the same period years 2019 and 2018. The data entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet were also analyzed using Stata software version 15.1.
Data Availability
The data source for this research study is available on HMIS MoHFW, Government of India. The link to the source is: - https://hmis.nhp.gov.in/#!/standardReports
9. Bias and Confounders
During the research study period, the researcher found that comparing exclusively the JSSK free services utilization may be a biased study. Hence the researcher included some variables and two pre-pandemic year data to reduce the bias as well as to take care of potential confounders. These variables were as follows:
- Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities ( registration of ANC is a free service and included in the research study to reduce bias as well as potential confounders recognized during the research study)
- Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
- Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities ( institutional deliveries conducted at public health facilities is a free service and included in the research study to reduce bias as well as potential confounder recognized during the research study)
- Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
- Total C -Section deliveries performed per 1000 institutional deliveries at public health facilities (C -Section deliveries / 1000 performed at public health facilities is a free service and included in the research study to reduce bias as well as potential confounders recognized during the research study)
10. Study size
The purposive sampling technique was utilized to get the answer for this research study title mentioned research question. A total of 60547407 numbers of PWs and 30706393 institutional deliveries registered at public health facilities only during the study period were included in this study as explained above.
11. Quantitative variables
The quantitative variables were purposively chosen to get the answer to the research question. See Table-1 which lists all the purposively selected variables.
Table-1- List of variables for this research study
Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diet under JSSK
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
Number of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities
|
Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
|
Total C -Section deliveries performed per 1000 institutional deliveries at public health facilities
|
Other analyses variables
|
Total Live Birth at public health facilities
|
Live Birth - Male at public health facilities
|
Live Birth - Female at public health facilities
|
12. Statistical methods
The annual prevalence for all the free healthcare services utilization at public health facilities in India provided under the JSSK scheme was calculated from the data of all the 36 states and UTs for the study period. For controlling the confounders annual prevalence per 1000 JSSK free healthcare services utilization was calculated for comparison. Growth or declines in numbers/percentage were compared from the previous year and it was also calculated to assess the trends of JSSK free services utilization during the study period.
13. Participants
A total number of 20467393, 20789929, and 19290085 PWs registered at public health facilities of India across 36 states and UTs and listed on HMIS of MoHFW (Government of India) were included in this research study during the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively. Similarly, other participants were selected keeping intact the key eligibility of free healthcare services utilization under JSSK at public health facilities located in any state / UTs of India during the study period. Table -2 shows the number of eligible participants at each stage of this research study.
Table-2- Number of eligible participants during 2018-2019-2020
Indicator
|
Total 2018
|
Total 2019
|
Total 2020
|
Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities
|
20467393
|
20789929
|
19290085
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
9892026
|
12477364
|
13923237
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diet under JSSK
|
6724038
|
7897742
|
8143716
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
10883867
|
13047226
|
13570356
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
5068731
|
4755161
|
5137408
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
826016
|
941306
|
1104539
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
4039457
|
4840247
|
5044712
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
1970113
|
2284127
|
2266045
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
1445638
|
1906050
|
1875769
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
327287
|
472707
|
559696
|
Number of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
154258
|
218437
|
259447
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
488498
|
648149
|
752506
|
Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities
|
10378250
|
10532761
|
9795382
|
Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
|
1436671
|
1480223
|
1367163
|
Total C -Section deliveries performed per 1000 institutional deliveries at public health facilities (outcome data)
|
138.43
|
140.54
|
139.57
|
14. Descriptive data
A public health facility-based utilization of free services under JSSK of the Government of India; retrospective mixed cross-sectional study was carried out from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2020, for pregnant women attending all public healthcare services in 36 states and UTs of India. In this study, a total of 60547407 numbers of PWs and 30706393 institutional deliveries registered at public health facilities were included in the study with a purposive sampling technique to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the utilization of JSSK free services. See Table 1, 2.
15. Outcome data
As stated earlier the Microsoft office and stata15.1 software were used for data collection analysis and graphical presentations etc. Before going to the results the outcome data are presented in table-3, 4, and 5 and figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Table-3- Comparisons of JSSK healthcare services utilization during 2018-2019-2020
Indicator
|
Percentage of previous year 2018 numbers during 2019
|
Percentage of previous year 2019 numbers during 2020
|
Growth / decline in numbers during 2019 compared to 2018
|
Growth / decline in numbers during 2020 compared to 2019
|
Growth / decline in percentage during 2019 compared to 2018
|
Growth / decline in percentage during 2020 compared to 2019
|
Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities
|
101.58
|
92.79
|
322536
|
-1499844
|
1.58
|
-7.21
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
126.14
|
111.59
|
2585338
|
1445873
|
26.14
|
11.59
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diet under JSSK
|
117.46
|
103.11
|
1173704
|
245974
|
17.46
|
3.11
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
119.88
|
104.01
|
2163359
|
523130
|
19.88
|
4.01
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
93.81
|
108.04
|
-313570
|
382247
|
-6.19
|
8.04
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
113.96
|
117.34
|
115290
|
163233
|
13.96
|
17.34
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
119.82
|
104.22
|
800790
|
204465
|
19.82
|
4.22
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
115.94
|
99.21
|
314014
|
-18082
|
15.94
|
-0.79
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
131.85
|
98.41
|
460412
|
-30281
|
31.85
|
-1.59
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
144.43
|
118.40
|
145420
|
86989
|
44.43
|
18.40
|
Number of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
141.60
|
118.77
|
64179
|
41010
|
41.60
|
18.77
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
132.68
|
116.10
|
159651
|
104357
|
32.68
|
16.10
|
Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities
|
101.49
|
93.00
|
154511
|
-737379
|
1.49
|
-7.00
|
Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
|
103.03
|
92.36
|
43552
|
-113060
|
3.03
|
-7.64
|
Table-4- Comparisons of JSSK healthcare services utilization per 1000 PWs during 2018-2019-2020
Indicator
|
Utilization of Services per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities 2018
|
Utilization of Services per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities 2019
|
Utilization of Services per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities 2020
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
483.31
|
600.16
|
721.78
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diet under JSSK
|
328.52
|
379.88
|
422.17
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
531.77
|
627.57
|
703.49
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
247.65
|
228.72
|
266.32
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
40.36
|
45.28
|
57.26
|
Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
197.36
|
232.82
|
261.52
|
Table-5- Comparisons of JSSK healthcare services utilization per 1000 institutional deliveries during 2018-2019-2020
Indicator
|
Utilization of Services per 1000 institutional deliveries registered at Public health facilities2018
|
Utilization of Services per 1000 institutional deliveries registered at Public health facilities2019
|
Utilization of Services per 1000 institutional deliveries registered at Public health facilities2020
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
|
189.83
|
216.86
|
231.34
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
|
139.29
|
180.96
|
191.50
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
|
31.54
|
44.88
|
57.14
|
Number of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
|
14.86
|
20.74
|
26.49
|
Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
|
47.07
|
61.54
|
76.82
|
16. Main results
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON:
A. Total number of pregnant women registered for ANC at public health facilities - See figure- 1, 2, and table-2, 3
The total number of PWs registered for ANC at public health facilities were 20467393, 20789929, and 19290085 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuous decreasing trend for this indicator during the study period. During 2019 101.58 % of 2018 and during 2020 only 92.79% of 2019 numbers were registered which shows that there is an increase of 322536 numbers of PWs ANC registration in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by a decrease of -1499844 during the COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as1.58% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and -7.21% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019.
B. Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
The total number of PWs provided - Free Medicines under JSSK were 9892026, 12477364, and 13923237during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this indicator during the study period. During 2019 126.14 % of 2018 and 2020, 111.59% of 2019 numbers were provided - Free Medicines under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 2585338 numbers of PWs provided - Free Medicines under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 1445873 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 26.14% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 11.59% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of free medicines provision under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 483.31, 600.16, and 721.78 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. See table-2, 3, 4 and figures 1, 2, and 3.
C. Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diet under JSSK
The total number of PWs provided - Free Diet under JSSK were 6724038, 7897742, and 8143716 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this indicator during the study period. During 2019 117.46 % of 2018 and 2020, only 103.11% of 2019 numbers were provided - Free Diet under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 1173704 numbers of PWs provided - Free Diet under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 245974 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 17.46% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 3.11% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of free diet provision under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 328.52, 379.88, and 422.17 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4 and figures 1, 2, and 3.
D. Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
The total number of PWs provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK were 10883867, 13047226, and 13570356 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this indicator during the study period. In 2019 119.88 % of 2018 and 2020, 104.01% of 2019 numbers were provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 2163359 numbers of PWs provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 523130 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 19.88% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 4.01% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of free diagnostics provision under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 531.77, 627.57, and 703.49 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4 and figures 1, 2, and 3.
E. Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
The total number of PWs provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK were 5068731, 4755161, and 5137408 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows that after a decrease in 2019 it increased in the 2020 COVID era. In 2019 93.81 % of 2018 and during 2020, 108.04% of 2019 numbers were provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK which shows that there is a decrease of -313570 numbers of PWs provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 382247 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as -6.19% decrease in 2019 compared to 2018 and 8.04% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Home to facility transport under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 247.65, 228.72, and 266.32 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. The Utilization of this service of Free Home to facility transport under JSSK increased in the COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic era of 2018 and 2019 See table-2, 3, 4 and figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
F. Number of Pregnant Women provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
The total numbers of PWs provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK were 826016, 941306, and 1104539 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increasing trend even in the 2020 COVID era. In 2019 113.96 % of 2018 and during 2020, 117.34% of 2019 numbers were provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 115290 numbers of PWs provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 163233 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 13.96% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 17.34% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Interfacility transfers, when needed under JSSK per 1000 PW, registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 40.36, 45.28, and 57.26 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4 and figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
G. Number of Pregnant Women provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
The total numbers of PWs provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK were 4039457, 4840247, and 5044712 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increasing trend even in the 2020 COVID era. In 2019 119.82 % of 2018 and during 2020, 104.22% of 2019 numbers were provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 800790 numbers of PWs provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 204465 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 19.82% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 04.22% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Drop Back home under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 197.36, 232.82, and 261.52 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4 and figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
H. Number of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK
The total numbers of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK were 1970113, 2284127, and 2266045 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increase in 2019 followed by a little decrease in the 2020 COVID era. In 2019 115.94 % of 2018 and 2020, 99.21% of 2019 numbers sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 314014 numbers of sick infants provided - Free Medicines under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by a decrease of -18082 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 15.94% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and -0.79% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Medicines under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities was 189.83, 216.86, and 231.34 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4,5 and figure 5.
I. Number of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK
The total numbers of sick infants provided - with Free Diagnostics under JSSK were 1445638, 1906050, and 1875769 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increase in 2019 followed by a little decrease in the 2020 COVID era. In 2019 131.85 % of 2018 and 2020, 98.41% of 2019 numbers sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 460412 numbers of sick infants provided - Free Diagnostics under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by a decrease of -30281 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 31.85% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and -1.59% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Diagnostics under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities was 139.29, 180.96 and 191.50 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4,5 and figure 5.
J. Number of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK
The total numbers of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK were 327287, 472707, and 559696 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increasing trend in this free service utilization. In 2019 144.43 % of 2018 and 2020, 118.40% of 2019 numbers sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 145420 numbers of sick infants provided - Free Home to facility transport under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 86989 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 44.43% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 18.40% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Home to facility transport under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 31.54, 44.88, and 57.14 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4,5 and figure 5.
K. Number of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK
The total numbers of sick infants provided - Free Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK were 327287, 472707, and 559696 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increasing trend in this free service utilization. In 2019 144.43 % of 2018 and 2020, 118.40% of 2019 numbers sick infants provided - Free Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 145420 numbers of sick infants provided - Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 86989 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 44.43% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 18.40% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 14.86, 20.74, and 26.49 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4,5 and figure 5.
L. Number of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK
The total numbers of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK were 488498, 648149, and 752506 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increasing trend in this free service utilization. In 2019 132.68 % of 2018 and 2020, 116.10% of 2019 numbers sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK which shows that there is an increase of 159651 numbers of sick infants provided - Free Drop Back home under JSSK in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by an increase of 104357 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 32.68% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and 16.10% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utilization of this service of Free Drop Back home under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 47.07, 61.54, and 76.82 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period See table-2, 3, 4,5 and figure 5.
M. Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities
The total Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities were 10378250, 10532761, and 9795382 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increase followed by a decrease during COVID-19 ERA 2020. During 2019 101.49 % of 2018 and during 2020 only 93.00% of 2019 numbers were registered which shows that there is an increase of 154511 numbers of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by a decrease of -737379 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as1.49% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and -7.00% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019.
N. Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities
The Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities were 1436671, 1480223, and 1367163 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increase followed by a decrease during COVID-19 ERA 2020. In 2019 103.03 % of 2018 and 2020, only 92.36% of 2019 numbers were registered which shows that there is an increase of 43552 numbers of C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities in 2019 compared to 2018 followed by a decrease of -113060 during COVID-19 era 2020 compared to 2019 expressed as 3.03% increase in 2019 compared to 2018 and -7.64% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019. The Total C -Section deliveries performed per 1000 institutional deliveries at public health facilities were 138.43, 140.54, and 139.57 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period.
17. Other analyses
Table-6- Comparison of total live birth and live birth male / female during study period
Indicator
|
Total Live Birth
|
Live Birth - Male at public health facilities
|
Live Birth - Female at public health facilities
|
2018
|
11398358
|
5903695
|
5494663
|
2019
|
11381039
|
5882233
|
5498806
|
2020
|
10536808
|
5443053
|
5093755
|
Percentage of previous year 2018 numbers during 2019
|
99.84806
|
99.64
|
100.08
|
Percentage of previous year 2019 numbers during 2020
|
92.58213
|
92.53
|
92.63
|
Growth / decline in numbers during 2019 compared to 2018
|
-17319
|
-21462
|
4143
|
Growth / decline in numbers during 2020 compared to 2019
|
-844231
|
-439180
|
-405051
|
Growth / decline in percentage during 2019 compared to 2018
|
-0.15194
|
-0.36
|
0.08
|
Growth / decline in percentage during 2020 compared to 2019
|
-7.41787
|
-7.47
|
-7.37
|
An important observation during this research study is that total live birth, as well as lives of male and female birth at public health facilities, declined during the 2020 Covid-19 era as compared to the pre-pandemic era under study; see table-6 and figure-6. The total live birth reduced by -17319 in 2019 compared to 2018 and -844231in 2020 compared to 2019 i.e. -0.15% in 2019 and -7.4% in 2020 compared to immediate previous years. The total live birth male reduced by -21462 in 2019 compared to 2018 and -439180in 2020 compared to 2019 i.e. -0.36% in 2019 and -7.47% in 2020 compared to immediate previous years. The total live birth female increased by 4143 in 2019 compared to 2018 and reduced by -405051in 2020 compared to 2019 i.e. 0.08% increase in 2019 and -7.37% in 2020 compared to immediate previous years.
18. Key results
- This research study revealed that there is an increase in almost all JSSK service utilization at public health facilities in India compared to the pre-pandemic era on a cumulative all-India basis.
- The total number of PWs registered for ANC at public health facilities were 20467393, 20789929, and 19290085 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuous decreasing trend in the study period, particularly during the COVID-19 era 2020.
- The Utilization of service of free medicines provision by PWs under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 483.31, 600.16, and 721.78 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period, particularly during COVID-19 era 2020.
- The Utilization of service of free diet provision by PWs under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 328.52, 379.88, and 422.17 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period, particularly during COVID-19 era 2020.
- The Utilization of service of free diagnostics provision by PWs under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 531.77, 627.57, and 703.49 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows a continuously increasing trend for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period, particularly during COVID-19 era 2020.
- The Utilization of service of Free Home to facility transport by PWs under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 247.65, 228.72, and 266.32 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. The Utilization of this service of Free Home to facility transport under JSSK increased in the COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic era of 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of service of Interfacility transfers, when needed by PWs under JSSK per 1000 PW, registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 40.36, 45.28, and 57.26 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. The Utilization of this service of Free Interfacility transfers, when needed under JSSK, increased in the COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic era of 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of service of Free Drop Back home by PWs under JSSK per 1000 PW registered for ANC at Public health facilities were 197.36, 232.82, and 261.52 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. The Utilization of this service of Free Drop Back home under JSSK increased in the COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic era of 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of Free Medicines by sick infants under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 189.83, 216.86, and 231.34 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. The Utilization of this service of free medicines under JSSK increased in the COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic era of 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of service of Free Diagnostics by sick infants under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 139.29,180.96 and 191.50 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period. The Utilization of this service of free diagnostics under JSSK increased in the COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic era of 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of service of Free Home to facility transport by sick infants under JSSK per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 31.54, 44.88, and 57.14 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period which shows the utilization of this service increased in COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to pre-pandemic era 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of service of Free Interfacility transfers when needed under JSSK by sick infants per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 14.86, 20.74, and 26.49 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period which shows the utilization of this service increased in COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to pre-pandemic era 2018 and 2019.
- The Utilization of service of Free Drop Back home under JSSK by infants per 1000 institutional deliveries at Public health facilities were 47.07, 61.54, and 76.82 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively for this JSSK free healthcare services utilization during the study period which shows the utilization of this service increased in COVID-19 era of 2020 compared to pre-pandemic era 2018 and 2019.
- The total Number of Institutional Deliveries conducted (Including C-Sections) at public health facilities were 10378250, 10532761, and 9795382 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increase followed by a decrease during COVID-19 ERA 2020.
- The Total C -Section deliveries performed at public health facilities were 1436671, 1480223, and 1367163 during 2018-2019-2020 respectively which shows an increase followed by a decrease during COVID-19 ERA 2020.