25, September 2025

Evaluating public health development in North Maharashtra: A district-level analysis of nfhs-4 and nfhs-5 indicators

VOLUME-11; ISSUE-9; SEPT-2025

Author(s): 1. Rupesh Madhukar Dhundale, 2. Sanjay Narayan Bharambe

Authors Affiliations:

1. Research scholar, Department of Geography, K. C. E. Society’s Moolji Jaitha College (Autonomous), Jalgaon.

2. Professor and Principal, Department of Geography, K. C. E. Society’s Moolji Jaitha College (Autonomous), Jalgaon.

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202509007     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202509007


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The paper assesses the North Maharashtra region in terms of their development in the field of public health and any disparities between them by performing a comparative analysis of the data collected during the 4th (2015-16) and 5th (2019-21) rounds of the National Family Health Survey. Conducting a study in the districts of Nandurbar, Dhule, and Jalgaon, the research evaluates how specific indicators of maternal and child health, nutrition, sanitation and access to healthcare have changed. The significance of observed changes was determined by statistical tools, namely the paired sample t-test. Findings show that most of the indicators have improved, including the number of institutional deliveries, improved immunization rates, improved sanitation, and decreased infant mortality rates. Nonetheless, some disparities still exist, especially in Nandurbar district, which is still behind a number of health indicators. Areas of concern are also evidenced by the increase in non-communicable diseases and anemia in women. The study shows the importance of health data at the district level to reveal intra-regional disparities that are usually concealed in the analysis at the state level. The results can be used by policymakers to take specific evidence-based measures in this underserved area to enhance health outcomes.

Public health development, maternal and child health, nutrition indicators, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare access, health disparities

Rupesh Madhukar Dhundale, Sanjay Narayan Bharambe (2025); Evaluating public health development in North Maharashtra: A district-level analysis of nfhs-4 and nfhs-5 indicators,  International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-9, Pp.50-58.          Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

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