If the population growth rate continues at the same level, the population size of Jharkhand will double in 32 years. There are significant variations among districts in terms of population distribution. The population density in Jharkhand has also increased considerably between 1 991 and 2001 from 274 to 338 persons per square kilometer (sq. kin). Population density varies from a minimum of 148 persons per sq. km. in Gumla district to 1, 1 67 persons per sq. km. in Dhanbad district.

There are nine primitive tribal groups that are likely to become extinct if special measures are not taken to increase their population and preserve their separate identities and cultures. These primitive tribes are the Astir, Birhor, Birjia, Korwa, Mal Pahadia, Pahariya, Sauriya Pahariya, Hill Kharia, and Savar: The total population of these primitive tribes is only 207,475, which constitutes 3% of the total tribal population. Each of the tribal groups has its own culture, dialect, geographical concentration, and distinct social customs and institutions.

Fertility and Mortality

The estimates provided by the Sample Registration System (SRS) show that the crude birth rate (CBR) was 26.3 per 1000 population for the state, 28.5 per 1000 population in rural areas and 19 per 1000 population in urban areas during 1999. More than half the births in the state are higher order births (three or more) and a quarter of the women have birth intervals of less than 24 months

The SRS estimate of the crude death rate (CDR) for Jharkhand is 9 per 1 000 population. Mortality in rural Jharkhand (10 per 1000 population) was much higher than in urban Jharkhand (6 per 1000 population). Jharkhand has high rate of infant mortality. Of every 1000 live births, about 71 die before they reach their first birthday.

Family Planning

Only a quarter-of the currently married women in Jharkhand use any modern method of
contraception. About 38% of the currently married are using any modern method of contraception compared with 22% rural women. Female sterilization dominates the method mix (88%). Less than 1% of Couples use male sterilization.

Reproductive Health

The proportion of pregnant women receiving antenatal check-ups in Jharkhand is quite low as only 1 0 women receive at least one antenatal check-up. Only one-third of pregnant women receive IFA tablets. More than three-fourths of deliveries that take place in the state are unsafe. Nearly 9 of every 1 0 deliveries take place at home.

Child Health

Breastfeeding is universal in the state, but few infants are breastfed immediately after birth-less than 10% in the first hour and less than one-third on the first day. Only half of the children under six-months of age are exclusively breastfed. More than 20 % of the children in Jharkhand suffer from diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. Eight of every 10 children suffer from some form of anemia. More than half of the children (56%) suffer from moderate to severe anemia. Less than 10% of the children aged 12-23 months are fully immunized (three doses of DPI and OPV, one dose of BCG and measles vaccine). About one-third of children do not receive any immunization at all.

5Th RTI/ AIDS

About 45% of women in iharkhand reported to have reproductive health problems. Awareness of HIV/AIDS in the state is low wherein about 85% of women have not heard about HIV/AIDS.

Nutritional Status of Women

Maternal malnutrition is a major cause for concern in the state of iharkhand. A little less than three-fourths of women suffer from anemia, a prevalence level much higher than the national average (52%). About 30% suffer from moderate to severe anemia as compared with 1 7% for India as a whole. Four of every 1 0 women in .Jharkhand are undernourished. About two-thirds of women in the childbearing ages are anemic and pregnant women experience the highest levels of anemia.

Communicable diseases

All the major communicable diseases like Tuberculosis, Malaria and Leprosy are endemic in the State.

Tuberculosis contributes the maximum to the mortality due to communicable diseases. Every year approximately 60,000 new patients of TB are occurring in the State. The entire State is to be covered under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) by the year 2004.

The State had the highest prevalence of Leprosy in the country, PR of 14 per 10,000 population in the year 2000; which has come down to 4.9 in 2003.

Malaria has been wrecking havoc in the State. In the year 2000, 137453 malaria cases and 16 confirmed cases of deaths due to malaria was reported. Due to the intensive efforts of all stakeholders, the total cases reported in the year 2003 was 86622 and 10 deaths.