Continuum of maternal health care services among peri-urban women- a community-based cross-sectional study in North India

Abstract

Background: Low level of utilization of continuum of maternal health services (CMHS) is a major factor responsible for high maternal mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to assess status of utilization, determinants and satisfaction of /about CMHS in peri-urban women of north India.Methods: A community based, cross-sectional study of 310 recently delivered women (RDWs) was conducted. Data were collected using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 26.0.Results: 158 (51%), 228 (73.5%) and 92 (29.7%) of RDWs had full utilization of antenatal care (ANC), intra natal care (INC) and post-natal care (PNC) respectively. Birth order, education of husband, complications in previous pregnancies, type of family, first ANC visit and place of ANC were significant (p<0.05) predictor of full utilization of ANC. Education of RDW and husband, complications in previous pregnancies were significant (p<0.05) predictor of full utilization of INC. Age, birth order and education of husband were significant predictors (p<0.05) of full utilization of PNC. Full utilization of overall CMHS was only 60 (19.4%). >70% RDWs expressed satisfaction with the quality of CMHS while 28.5% were not satisfied.Conclusions: Utilization of all the three aspects of CMHS still lagging behind with regards to required goals with full utilization of PNC, as limiting factor. Comprehensive approach to increase utilization of CMHS is need of hour, to address the issue of drop out with special emphasis on PNC.