Comparative Assessment of Married Women's Knowledge and Attitude Regarding MCH Services in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of District Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab

Abstract

Maternal and infant mortality continues to be high despite the existence of National Programs for improving maternal and child health in India. Appropriate knowledge and attitude regarding maternal and child health care services encompass the most effective answer to reduction of maternal and infant deaths. Data related to rural/urban difference concerning awareness of women regarding MCH services in Punjab is inadequate. This comparative study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and attitude by structured interview method regarding MCH services among 120 married women selected through purposing sampling technique in Urban and Rural areas of District Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab. The findings of study revealed that majority of 53.33%, 63.33% married women had average knowledge in urban and rural area respectively. On other hand 78.33%, 86.67% married women had favourable attitude in Urban and Rural area regarding MCH services. Urban married women had more good knowledge (35%) than rural married women (28.33%) regarding MCH services but favourable attitude was more among rural married women than urban married women towards MCH services. There was positive correlation between knowledge and attitude of Urban and Rural married women regarding MCH services. In present study Educational status, income of family, husband's education, no. of children, occupation had significant impact on knowledge of urban and rural married women respectively and Family income, husband's education, husband's occupation, age of women, educational status, no. of children had significant impact on attitude of urban and rural married women respectively. Therefore it is imperative to create awareness regarding MCH services among married women in rural and urban areas to enhance MCH services utilization for promotion of their health.