Antenatal Health Care Seeking Behavior & Health System Response-A Cross Sectional Community Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal and child health services have potentially critical role in improvement of reproductive and neonatal health thereby, reduce infant mortality rate (IMR). Delay in access to the health care involves problem in decision making and availability of health services. Health care seeking behavior (HCSB) is an important component of Health Systems Research (HSR) which is necessary for planning health policies. Aims and Objectives: To study (1) Antenatal HCSB of mothers. (2) Source of healthcare sought during antenatal period (3) Pattern of initiation of breast feeding among mothers. Methodology: This was a cross sectional community based study wherein, 1903 mothers of under 5 (U-5) were interviewed. Data were coded, analyzed using SPSS package, results expressed as rates and proportions. Predictors of HCSB was estimated by odds ratios (OR) calculation and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: All mothers in study had at least one Antenatal Checkup (ANC). Most of the mothers, 1629 (85.6 %) were informed regarding importance of breastfeeding during ANC and 1668(87.6%) had at least one antenatal ultra-sonogram done. Private Health Care System (PHCS) was most preferred for delivery and 1884 (99%) were hospital delivery. 1693(88.9%) of mothers had breast fed their babies within first 2 hours of life and 376 (19.7%) gave pre lacteal feeds on day one. Conclusions: Large section of the society are still dependent on PHS for antenatal services. Realistic formulations of heath policies are needed based on utilization of health care services.