Comparative study to Evaluate the Utilisation of Antenatal Services among Post-natal Mothers Admitted in Selected rural and urban Hospitals of Kashmir

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the utilisation of antenatal service among post-natal mothers, promoting maternal and child health, with the goal of achieving 100 percent antenatal service coverage. It employed a comparative descriptive research approach to evaluate antenatal service utilisation among post-natal mothers in both rural and urban hospitals in Kashmir. The non-probability purposive sampling technique covered 100 post-natal mothers, equally divided between rural and urban areas. A panel of experts created and validated a self-structured knowledge questionnaire to collect data. Pre-testing ensured clarity and feasibility. Data was gathered through interview technique and record analysis, followed by analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant disparities were found in antenatal service utilisation between rural and urban post-natal mothers in most areas of antenatal services. Utilisation of antenatal services in urban hospitals was better as in rural hospitals. More urban mothers as compared to rural mothers complained about compared to getting antenatal services. The major problems faced were non-cooperative family, strikes, long waiting time, lack of knowledge, improper communication with health personnel and long distance.