IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-6-19769 Original Research Paper CONCEPT OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MATERNAL HEALTHWHERE DO WE STAND? Shaikh Dr. June 2019 8 6 01 02 ABSTRACT

India contributes 15% to the maternal mortality rate worldwide, pregnancy and childbirth related causes being incriminated for it. This is also accompanied by high spending on maternal healthcare thus adding to the poverty in the lower class population. In the present study, awareness and willingness regarding health insurance for maternal health was studied by a self–designed interview. The awareness was found to be 42.5% while willingness was found to be 60% and among the aware population it had a higher value of 73.5%. Of the total population, 87.5% preferred government health services, the major reason being economic convenience while that for choosing a private setup was better facilities provided. The study concludes that health insurance for maternal health will provide the population a choice to approach the health facility of their choice, better utilization and improved quality of maternal health services, and also promotion of family planning attitude