Global Study Reveals Swachh Bharat Mission’s Major Impact on Reducing Infant Mortality in India.
New Delhi:
A groundbreaking study published in ‘Nature’, the leading multi-disciplinary science journal, has highlighted the significant impact of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in reducing infant and under-five mortality rates. The research, conducted by top experts, indicates that SBM has averted between 60,000 to 70,000 infant deaths annually, showcasing its success in improving child survival outcomes.
Launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, SBM aims to eliminate open defecation by providing household toilets across the country. The study, which analyzed data from 35 states and 640 districts over a decade (2011-2020), revealed a strong link between increased toilet access under SBM and improved child health metrics.
Key findings include:
Inverse Association: The study confirmed a robust inverse relationship between toilet access and child mortality rates in India.
Impact Scale: The construction of over 117 million toilets, with an investment exceeding Rs. 1.4 lakh crore, led to a reduction in district-level infant mortality rates (IMR) by 0.9 points and under-five mortality rates (U5MR) by 1.1 points for every 10 percentage point increase in toilet access. Districts with over 30% toilet coverage saw reductions of 5.3 in IMR and 6.8 in U5MR per thousand live births, translating to 60,000 – 70,000 fewer infant deaths annually.
Unique Approach: SBM’s integration of toilet construction with extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) efforts and community engagement marks a departure from previous sanitation initiatives, enhancing its effectiveness.
Broader Benefits: The study also noted a decrease in diarrhea and malnutrition due to reduced exposure to fecal-oral pathogens, further supporting SBM’s role in improving public health.
The research employed advanced statistical methods to control for various confounders, providing robust evidence of SBM’s transformative impact on public health. The findings underscore the importance of continued investment in sanitation programs and suggest that future efforts should focus on sustaining behavioral changes and ensuring the effective use of constructed toilets.
The study reinforces SBM’s crucial role in India’s public health strategy and advocates for the expansion and maintenance of sanitation programs to further enhance health outcomes.
