A Study to Assess Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in Urban Slums of Lucknow

Dr. Diipti Singh; Dr. Mukesh Shukla

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

A Study to Assess Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in Urban Slums of Lucknow

Dr. Diipti Singh, Dr. Mukesh Shukla

Abstract :

Introduction: In spite of tremendous efforts and provision of comprehensive services provided through various national health programs, maternal mortality is quite high in India. The most effective approach for preventing maternal death is the optimal utilisation of maternal health services. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the utilization of maternal health care services by recently delivered women (who delivered during last six months) in urban slums of Lucknow during their last pregnancy. Methodology: A cross–sectional study was conducted in four randomly selected urban slums of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from Feuary 2018 to December 2018. A maximum 328 recently delivered women were interviewed through house to house approach. Data was collected with the help of pre–designed, pre–tested and semi–structured questionnaire. Results: Out of 328 recently delivered women, about 95.1%were registered during their last pregnancy. About half (58.4%) were registered during first trimester and 37.8% had done at least 4 antenatal visits. Two doses of tetanus toxoid injection and complete consumption of IFA tablets was seen in 94.8% and 13.4% of the mothers respectively. About 96.6% of the mothers had institutional delivery.Unfelt need was the major reason for non–registration (68.7%).The major reason (57.0%) for incomplete/nil consumption of IFA tablet was the associated side effects. Conclusion: Information Education Communication (IEC) based approaches are needed to be identified in slum dwellings so as to educate women in reproductive age–group regarding the importance of complete utilization of maternal health care services