Maternity Benefits Research Articles

A Study to assess knowledge regarding Janani Suraksha Yojana among Antenatal mothers in selected rural area

Janani Suraksha Yojana, under the overall umbrella of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), has been proposed by a way of modifying the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). To assess knowledge regarding JSY among antenatal mothers in selected area. To find out an association between knowledge regarding JSY among antenatal mothers with selected demographic variables. Method: Descriptive design was used for the study. 100 antenatal mothers were selected as sample for study by using simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by using structured knowledge questionnaires to assess the knowledge. For the assessment of the level of knowledge regarding basic concepts of JSY among antenatal mothers who attend antenatal visit at selected PHC score was divided in to three groups poor (0-2 score), average (3-4 score) and good (5-6 score). The assessment of level of level of knowledge regarding basic concepts of JSY among antenatal mothers showed that, 5% of mothers had poor knowledge, 64% had average knowledge and 31% had good knowledge level. The average knowledge score was 4.04 with standard deviation of 1.00. The minimum score was 0 with the maximum score 6. The assessment of level of knowledge regarding of Janani Suraksha Yojana among antenatal mothers showed that, 1% of mothers had poor knowledge, 85% had average knowledge and 14% had good knowledge level. The average knowledge mean score was 14-98 with standard deviation of 1.87. The minimum score was 8 with the maximum score 20. Conclusion There was significant association of these demographic variables with the level of knowledge.

Mothers' Willingness to Use Workplace Lactation Supports: Evidence from Formally Employed Mothers in Central Kenya

BackgroundFormally employed mothers are vulnerable to early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. Kenyan national policy requires employer-provided maternity benefits and workplace lactation supports. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate willingness to use nationally mandated workplace lactation supports among formally employed women in Kenya. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey among 304 mothers of children ages ≤12 mo in Naivasha, Kenya, who were currently formally employed and employed before delivery of the most recent child to assess availability of and willingness to use current and potential future workplace lactation supports. ResultsThe most available reported workplace lactation supports were schedule flexibility to arrive late or leave early (87.8%) or visit a child to nurse during lunch (24.7%), followed by company-funded community-based daycare (7.6%). Few (<4.0%) reported the availability of lactation rooms, on-site daycares, transportation to breastfeed during lunch, refrigerators for expressed milk, or manual or electric breastmilk pumps. If made available, >80% of mothers reported moderate or strong willingness to use flexible schedules to arrive late or leave early, break during lunch, and transportation to visit a child to nurse. A moderate proportion reported strong willingness to use on-site daycares (63.8%), company-funded community-based daycare (56.9%), on-site lactation rooms (60.5%), refrigeration for expressed milk (49.3%), manual (40.5%), and electric pumps (27.6%). Mothers expressed fear of missing production targets and reported more willingness to use on-site compared with off-site daycare to save transportation time but noted concerns about chemical exposures and early arrival times with young infants. Hesitations regarding the use of on-site lactation rooms included concerns about privacy, milk identification and storage, and use and sharing of pumps. ConclusionsFlexible schedules were the workplace lactation supports in highest demand among formally employed mothers. Maternal willingness to use lactation rooms, refrigeration, and pumping equipment was moderate to low, suggesting sensitization may help to increase demand as the implementation of Kenyan policies moves forward.

Development of the Ready to Care Survey for VA Women's Health Primary Care Provider.

Women Veterans are at increased risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and are increasingly using Veteran Affairs (VA) for maternity benefits. VA Women's Health Primary Care Providers (WH-PCPs) are well positioned to improve maternal outcomes for women Veterans, yet little is understood about their experience and comfort with perinatal care. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a survey that could be utilized to assess WH-PCPs' experience, comfort, and attitudes towards perinatal care. After a review of the literature, we adapted a previously published survey to address four content areas including clinical experience, comfort level, and attitudes towards perinatal care and knowledge of VA specific maternity services. This survey was piloted with five WH-PCPs before undergoing two rounds of content validation with content experts. Content validity indexes (CVI) were calculated based on the content experts' ratings. Qualitative feedback from the content experts were summarized and reviewed by the research team. The CVI and qualitative responses were utilized to guide the decision to revise, refine, or delete survey questions. After the first round of content validation, we deleted three questions, revised three questions, and add three questions to the content areas of clinical experience and comfort. In the domain of attitudes towards perinatal care, we deleted one question and revised two questions and three questions were added to the knowledge of VA specific maternity services domain. After the second round of content validation, only one question was deleted from the attitudes domain. We developed and validated the Ready to Care Survey for VA WH-PCP using two rounds of content validation. The final survey had face and content validity. This survey tool can be used to assess VA WH-PCP's knowledge and readiness in caring for Veterans of child-bearing age for operational and research needs.

Informal Workers in India, Issues And Challenges: Comprehensive Analysis

According to the Code on Social Security, 2020, an unorganized worker is one who works from home, Employees in the organized sector who are not protected by the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 or Chapters III to VII of the Code, such as Employees Provident Fund, Employees' State Insurance Corporation, Gratuity, Maternity Benefit, or Employee's Compensation, may be self-employed or wage workers in the unorganized sector. In India around half of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country and more than 90% of the total workforce have remained informally employed in informal sector. Since India got independence this informal economy have played an important role for socio economic development process especially in agriculture and allied activities. Informal employment contributes more than 95% of total workforces in Indian agricultural sector. This paper presents various issues and challenges faced by informal workers in India and discuss about it’ remedies. Also in this paper we have discussed about the current scenario and condition of informal workers force in India. India needs to have employment-intensive growth in the future if it is to properly resolve the demographic dividend conundrum.

Exploring the prevalence of antidepressant medication discontinuation among pregnant veterans.

US female veterans have higher rates of mental health (MH) disorders compared to US civilian females and, consequently, are at risk for poor MH outcomes during pregnancy. This study evaluated the MH burden and identified the prevalence of antidepressant prescription and discontinuation among pregnant veterans (PGVets). The electronic health records (EHR) of PGVets using the US Veterans Administration's (VA) maternity care benefits over a two-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria for this study were a current MH diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the onset of pregnancy (n=351). Outcomes examined included antidepressant use prior to pregnancy, the use and discontinuation of antidepressants during pregnancy, and risk factors for discontinuation. PGVets had a high MH burden, as indicated by multiple comorbid diagnoses of unipolar depression, anxiety, and PTSD in 67% of the sample. At the onset of pregnancy, 163 (46%) were treated with an antidepressant. Only 56 (34%) continued using antidepressants through the pregnancy. Self-discontinuation (34%) and VA provider discontinuation (31%) of antidepressants were found. Among PGVets with documented past suicidal behaviors, 90% discontinued their active antidepressants. PGVets with indicators for more severe MH diagnoses were most likely to discontinue. The MH burden of PGVets and high rates of antidepressant discontinuation have implications for engaging this population in a higher level of perinatal monitoring and intervention. The findings suggest that VA providers and veterans would benefit from risks and benefits education regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy as well as the provision of alternative therapies.

A Study of Public Belief in Maternity Benefit Provisions in PMMVY among Pregnant Women &amp; Lactating Mothers in Haryana

The most productive years of a woman’s life and her reproductive years are in the same period. Pregnancy causes different physiological and anatomical alterations in a woman’s body that help in adaptations to allow the growth of the foetus. These changes demand nutritious food, adequate rest, and timely health checkups in the prenatal and post-natal period. A working woman has to take a break from her job to have proper rest before and after childbirth. Money is required to meet the expenses incurred in purchasing nutritious food, visiting gynaecologists for health checkups, and institutional delivery. To meet these compulsions, paid maternity leaves have been legislated for female workers in organized sectors in several countries. However, such provisions are not available for female workers in unorganized sectors. The governments of different countries are implementing innovative conditional maternity benefit schemes and the current study is focussed on checking the awareness of India’s Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) among the potential beneficiaries in Haryana state. The study involves different statistical tests such as descriptive statistics, item analysis (using commonalities, Cronbach’s Alpha if item deleted, item-total correlation, and inter-item correlation), factor analysis (using Kaiser Meyer Olkin (KMO), Bartlett’s test statistics), factor extraction, and hypothesis testing related to differences in awareness using IBM SPSS Statistics v29.0 software. The study is useful for potential beneficiaries and policymakers to make PMMVY a better maternity benefit scheme in terms of implementation and utilization.

Specifics of the social security systems in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with a focus on maternity and parenthood

This paper analyses and compares the specifics of the social security systems in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with a focus on maternity and parenthood. The chosen topic is illustrated by diagrams of social security systems, namely state social support benefits and sickness insurance benefits. The article focuses specifically on maternity, parental and paternity benefits as well as birth grants and pregnancy allowances. The aim of the paper is to present and evaluate the specifics of the social security systems with a focus on these benefits as well as their amount and to point out their differences. The methods used in the paper are description, descriptive analysis, comparative analysis and comparison. To obtain the data and information used in the paper, literature and legislation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia were used. The results of the analysis and comparison will be beneficial not only for the scientific community but also the general public.

An Evaluation of South Africa's Maternity and Parental Benefits Legislation in Light of the International Labour Organisation's Maternity Protection Convention and Recommendation

An Evaluation of South Africa's Maternity and Parental Benefits Legislation in Light of the International Labour Organisation's Maternity Protection Convention and Recommendation

Assessing universal maternal health service coverage and their determinants in India: A multicentric cross-sectional study.

Universal maternal health coverage (UHC) envisages access to quality healthcare services by pregnant and lactating women without any financial hardship. Our present study attempts to assess the UHC for maternal health services and their determinants, including access to quality antenatal care (ANC), quality postnatal care (PNC), and child immunization among the marginalized populations of India. It was a community-based cross-sectional study across five states of India among pregnant or lactating women. Quality ANC score was calculated using four indicators, including ANC registration month, attendance of four or more ANC visits, receiving at least one tetanus toxoid injection, and consumption of 100 iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets. Similarly, quality PNC care score was calculated using four indicators, including PNC within 48 h, breastfeeding initiation time, institutional delivery, and accessing conditional maternity benefit scheme. Logistic or generalized linear regression was used to depict associations depending on the outcome variables. A total of 12,976 pregnant women's and 18,061 lactating mothers' data were analyzed. Illiterate women, women from below the poverty line, and rural areas had low-quality ANC and PNC scores compared with their counterparts. Marginalized women had lower odds of immunization of children and lower quality PNC scores than nonmarginalized. Sociodemographic factors, such as caste, education of women, area of residence, and economic status, are major determinants of quality ANC and PNC scores and immunization of children. Hence, interventionists ought to design community-based interventions that address the challenges in the uptake of health services.

Maternity benefits and marital stability after birth: evidence from the Soviet Baltic republics

Maternity benefits and marital stability after birth: evidence from the Soviet Baltic republics

“When I came to Canada, I almost forgot myself: Where I am, who I am”: A qualitative exploration of how im/migration shapes young women's experiences of pregnancy, motherhood, and marriage

For young women, im/migration can impact education, employment, and family dynamics in ways that shape the courses of their lives and health. The purpose of this study is to deepen understandings of how im/migration shapes young women's experiences of pregnancy, motherhood, and marriage. Guided by intersectionality theory and the structural and social determinants of health, we analyzed qualitative interviews conducted with young im/migrants ages 15-30, who identify as women, and who had experiences of pregnancy, motherhood, and/or marriage (N ​= ​34). Participants were interviewed as part of the IRIS study in British Columbia, Canada between May 2019 to February 2021. Young im/migrant women described how im/migration shaped experiences of pregnancy, motherhood, and marriage by way of health, social, legal, and economic drivers. These included being ineligible for health insurance and unable to prevent pregnancy and experiencing workplace discrimination in form of reduced hours and no maternity benefits. Demanding caregiving roles and unsafe home environments were also described as being exacerbated by unaffordable childcare in destination settings and unequal gender roles and power dynamics after im/migration. Our findings suggest structural changes necessary to improve young im/migrant women's health. We recommend that health systems decouple im/migration status from health insurance; that governments provide all people with accessible childcare and maternity benefits; and that governments fund community-based efforts towards dismantling structures of patriarchy.

Impact of Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 [Amendment 2017] on job employment of working mothers in India

PurposeThis paper aims to clarify an impact of Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 (Amendment 2017) on job employment of working mothers. It proposes the certain facts that has positive impact on employment of women from the point of view of Government of India, but at the same time it highlights some negative implications that are faced by the employers and working mothers. The objective of this act is to provide a woman with a financial assistance and make her free from engaging in any work so as to protect health of “New Mother” and “New Born child”. Also, the act ensures women to take care of her child without having worry about loss of her job and loss of her employment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper carries efforts of researcher done on the topic of “Impact of Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 (Amendment 2017)” and measures its impact on employers and job employment of working mothers in India through literature review from various sources like SCOPUS, EMERALD, EBSCO, PROQUEST, SAGE, etc. The paper opted for an exploratory study using the questionnaire approach of grounded theory, including 50 in-depth interviews of working mothers.FindingsOutcome of this describes both positive and negative implications of this amendment on businesses and job employment of working mothers. It throws the limelight on implementation of this act in real life and identification of problems and stress faced by women employee either to get the job or to retain the job during pregnancy period which is very hazardous to the health of women and her inborn child also.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications of the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 (Amendment 2017) on employers whether to hire women employee or not and on women though they are having capability to do work but because of ignorance of government on ensuring proper implementation of act, women are not getting opportunity to work after baby birth.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified need to study and find some measures for effective implantation of Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 (Amendment 2017) so as to protect and regulate employment of women workers before and after child birth so as to increase female labour force participation rate.

Postnatal quietness - the dilemma of visiting hours. A qualitative interview study with maternity care staff

BackgroundAs part of the Person and Family Centred Care, involvement of relatives is a key concept. This means that an unrestricted visiting policy in hospitals wards is widely accepted and implemented. In maternity care, benefits and drawbacks of unrestricted visiting is still discussed, while it is acknowledged that a quiet environment is important for both new parents and newborns to enhance breastfeeding. The COVID-19 lockdown provided an opportunity to study how the restrictions for visitors influenced the work of maternity care staff in Denmark. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the experience of maternity care staff on how visitation restrictions for visitors influenced the care of new families in a maternity ward. MethodsIndividual interviews (n = 10) were performed between 20 November 2020 and 25 February 2021. A qualitative descriptive study was performed using thematic analysis. ResultsOne overarching theme was identified: “Framing time to the experience of becoming a parent”. Further, five sub-themes were identified and illuminated in the analysis: “Increasing confidentiality and presence”, “Changing availability and space for guidance”, “Welcoming peacefulness”, “Being gatekeepers”, and “Structuring time is caring”. ConclusionRestrictions for visitors influenced the care of new families because it encourages the space and place of becoming a parent. The hospital environment was shaped in a calm way, which increased the staffs’ bedside time. The experience of an increased confidentiality with new parents led to in-depth conversations, making it easier to identify new parents’ needs, focus on the initiation of breastfeeding, and individual guidance.

Maternity Benefits in India: A Comparative Analysis with Selected Countries

Maternity Benefits in India: A Comparative Analysis with Selected Countries

Examining the role of maternity benefit comparisons and pregnancy discrimination in women's turnover decisions

AbstractRetaining pregnant women and mothers is a prevalent challenge for companies in the United States. In this paper, we highlight the importance of favorable maternity benefits. Specifically, we argue that maternity benefits can signal how pregnant workers are treated within the organization, particularly as women compare their own benefits to referent others'. Drawing from identity threat response theory, we propose a conceptual framework that explains the influence of maternity benefit comparisons on perceptions of discrimination and, subsequently, turnover. Upon evaluating two studies using multi‐wave survey data and two vignette studies, our results indicate that when women perceive their maternity benefits to be less favorable than referent others' benefits, they perceive more pregnancy discrimination. In turn, perceptions of pregnancy discrimination influence their subsequent turnover decisions. Consistent with identity threat response theory, our results also suggest that perceived supervisor support is a significant moderator, weakening the impact of maternity benefit comparisons on perceptions of pregnancy discrimination.

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Awareness of Social Security Measures and the Challenges Faced by Women Workers in the Informal Sector of Jharkhand

This article attempts to review the challenges faced by women in various industries in the informal sector in the Ranchi, Dhanbad and Khunti districts of Jharkhand and their level of awareness of the existing social security measures. It is based on primary date collected from respondents from these districts. It analyses variables related to awareness and conditions of work including awareness of social security measures, working hours per day, weekly off, internal complaints committee, maternity benefits, sanitary facility available in the work place, awareness about minimum wages and equal pay for equal work. The study concludes that women work in unhygienic conditions, are paid less and are made to work more without getting the due respect and remuneration.

Effectives of the Implementation of the Maternity Benefits among Textile Workers in Tiruppur

This research study has evaluated the implementation effectiveness of the maternity benefits conferred on women workers employed in the textile industry of Tiruppur. The labor laws in India have conferred maternity benefits on women workers as a social security measure to help them overcome the difficulties arising out of the contingent situations on account of pregnancy and child birth thereby ensuring secure employment and humane working conditions for women. As the textile industry in Tiruppur employs a huge number of women there is a need to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of the provisions related to maternity benefits. The respondents for the study are married women workers with children employed in the textile industry. The sample size for the study is 78 collected by convenience sampling method. Regression method using SPSS version 23 was employed data analysis. The results have found lack of effectiveness in the implementation of the maternity benefits among the women workers.

Maternity Benefits and Marital Stability after Birth: Evidence from the Soviet Baltic Republics

Maternity Benefits and Marital Stability after Birth: Evidence from the Soviet Baltic Republics

Revisiting Maternity Benefit Law in India: Moving Towards a More Equitable Future

Revisiting Maternity Benefit Law in India: Moving Towards a More Equitable Future