Descriptive assessment of selected SDG-3-related health indicators using routine programme records and a community survey in selected villages of Gadag district, Karnataka, South India

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are designed to eradicate poverty, protect the environment, and encourage peace. Goal 3, in particular, was dedicated to ensuring that everyone leads a healthy life by focusing on health priorities, such as maternal and child health, preventing diseases, and providing access to essential medicines. This study aimed to describe the current status of selected health indicators relevant to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) in Gadag district using routine programme records and community survey. The study was designed to describe selected health indicators relevant to SDG-3 rather than to estimate official SDG indicators or evaluate programme effectiveness. This descriptive cross-sectional study combined secondary data extracted from routine district health programme records with Primary community-level data related to sexual and reproductive health, family planning, antenatal care, child health, immunization, cervical cancer screening, and HIV awareness were collected through a household survey using relevant modules adapted from the NFHS-6 Women’s questionnaire. To recruit 140 women aged 18 to 45, a convenient sampling method was utilized, while data from District Health Officers were collected using a universal sampling approach. Findings were expressed in frequency and percentage. Routine program records showed improvement in maternal health indicators, with the maternal mortality ratio decreasing from 51 to 44 per 100,000 live births and skilled birth attendance remaining above 84% during 2022–2024. Under-five and neonatal mortality rates also declined during the study period. The community survey demonstrated high utilization of antenatal care, institutional delivery, and immunization services for children. However, gaps were identified in family planning utilization, HIV prevention knowledge, cancer screening, and awareness of selected communicable and noncommunicable diseases. The present study provides a descriptive assessment of selected SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-being) indicators in Gadag district using routine programme records and a community survey. The findings indicate encouraging progress in maternal and child health, skilled birth attendance, antenatal care utilization, and routine child health services in the country. However, important gaps remain in mental health, HIV prevention knowledge, cancer screening, health workforce availability, and selected SDG-3 indicators for which complete data are unavailable. Strengthening preventive health services, health education, and routine health information systems is essential to support progress towards achieving SDG-3 in the district.