Maternal mortality in Andhra Pradesh Fig. 1. Map of Andhra Pradesh Prakasamma M Maharashtra Karnataka Tamil Nadu Chattisgarh Orissa Bay of Bengal show that the state has a lower maternal mortali- ty ratio (195 per 100,000 childbirths) compared to the national estimate of 301 (3). The percentage of population below the poverty-line is lower in the state (15.77%) compared to the country as a whole (26.1%). However, the human development index and the human poverty index of the state are not encouraging and are similar to the national average according to the National Human Development Report (NHOR) 2001 (4). In some critical areas of social development of women, the state falls below the national average. Female literacy and age at marriage are two examples where Andhra Pradesh lags behind the country as a whole. Only half of Table 1. Demographic, social and health profile of Andhra Pradesh compared to national average Characteristics Andhra Pradesh India Total population (Census 2001) (million) 76.21 1,028.61 Percentage of urban population 27.3 27.8 Crude birth rate (SRS 2006) 19 24.1 Crude death rate (SRS 2006) 7 7.5 Decadal growth (Census 2001) (%) 14.59 21.54 Total fertility rate (SRS 2004) 1.8 2.9 Sex ratio—no. of females per 1,000 males (Census 2001) 978 933 Contraceptive prevalence rate (NFHS 3) 67.7 56.3 Population below the poverty-line (%) 15.77 26.10 Human development index (NHDR 2001) 0.377 0.38 Human poverty index (NHDR 2001) 39.78 39.36 SC population as a % of total population (Census 2001) 16.20 16.2 ST population as a % of total population (Census 2001) 6.59 8.2 Female literacy rate (Census 2001) (%) 50.4 53.7 Mean age (years) at effective marriage for girls (SRS 1999) 18.1 19.6 Infant mortality rate (SRS 2006) 59 58 Maternal mortality ratio (SRS 2001-2003) 195 301 NFHS=National Family Health Survey; NHDR=National Human Development Report; SRS=Sample Registration System; SC=Scheduled castes; ST=Scheduled tribes Volume 27 | Number 2 | April 2009 221