The correct answer is: d) Higher than the national average.
The infant mortality rate in Bihar is 44.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is higher than the national average of 32.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. This means that for every 1,000 babies born in Bihar, 44.9 of them will die before their first birthday. This is a significant problem, and there are a number of factors that contribute to it.
One factor is that Bihar is a very poor state. Many families in Bihar live in poverty, and they do not have access to adequate healthcare. This means that they are less likely to be able to afford to take their children to the doctor when they are sick, and they are also less likely to be able to afford to pay for necessary medical care.
Another factor is that Bihar has a high rate of malnutrition. Malnutrition can make children more susceptible to illness, and it can also make them more likely to die from illness.
Finally, Bihar has a high rate of maternal mortality. This means that many women in Bihar die while they are pregnant or giving birth. This can be due to a number of factors, including poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and poor nutrition.
The high infant mortality rate in Bihar is a serious problem. It is important to address the factors that contribute to this problem, such as poverty, malnutrition, and maternal mortality. By doing so, we can help to reduce the number of infant deaths in Bihar.
Here are some additional details about each option:
- Option a) is incorrect because the infant mortality rate in Bihar is not among the lowest in India.
- Option b) is incorrect because the infant mortality rate in Bihar is not slightly below the national average.
- Option c) is incorrect because the infant mortality rate in Bihar is not about the same as the national average.
- Option d) is correct because the infant mortality rate in Bihar is higher than the national average.