Abstract
Maternal and child healthcare is one of the eight basic components of primary healthcare. Poor access and utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services continue to contribute to high maternal mortality and morbidity; and the services of primary healthcare are amenable for evaluation. To report the utilization of ANC services by women living in tribal and rural areas in the district of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study. Quantitative data on ANC were collected from women having a child aged less than a year (n=380) through a structured interview schedule. The qualitative data were collected through indepth interviews with key informants in the villages (n=12). The study reports higher utilization of ANC compared with the national average of India. A greater proportion of women living in tribal areas utilize the services from governmental sources (92%), whereas approximately 54% of the rural women seek services (paid services) from private practitioners. Health workers' visits match with the utilization of government health services. The study showed relatively higher utilization of ANC services than the national average, but at the same time, child deliveries at home, which were mostly conducted by untrained elderly women, were also high. This gap is indicative of the target-oriented approach where quantity rather than the quality takes priority. In addition, the literacy levels of women, socioeconomic conditions and distance to the health facilities also played a role. To improve utilization and access, community health needs assessment has to be made, along with attempts to develop community participation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.