Utilization of maternal health services among Janani Suraksha Yojana beneficiaries in Puducherry, India

Abstract

Background: Utilization of maternal health services among Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) beneficiaries is an important aspect to improve maternal health. Aims: This study aims to assess the antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal maternal health services received by JSY beneficiaries. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 JSY beneficiaries in the rural and urban field practice area attached to a tertiary care institution in Puducherry, India. Antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal services received by the mothers were assessed by a pretested structured questionnaire. Results: About 144 subjects participated in the study (response rate - 94.7%). About half (79, 54.9%) of subjects belonged to 19–25 years age group. About 82.6% (119) of subjects were registered in the first trimester. The majority (142, 98.6%) had institutional delivery. All had received tetanus toxoid immunization. About 3.5% (5) of beneficiaries were sent for high-risk referral. About 77.8% (112/144) of beneficiaries had consumed at least 100 iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets. About 98.6% (142) had more than three visits. The majority of them (138, 95.7%) reached hospital within 1 h. Around 62% of women breastfed their child within 1 h after birth. The postnatal visit by health worker was 54.2% (78), and minimum one postnatal visit by postnatal mother was 48.6% (70). Conclusions: Overall maternal health services are good for JSY beneficiaries in this area. Efforts should be made to improve the quality of services for early registration of pregnancies, IFA tablet intake, early breastfeeding after birth and postnatal care services.