Publication:

Perceptions and practices of various maternal and child health services: a study among women of reproductive age group in a costal block of Ganjam District, Odisha

Background “Healthy mothers - Healthy children” and “children’s health - tomorrows health”. Any intervention which should be planned towards the upliftment of health status of this group must start with gathering information about their present status especially in the underprivileged section. This study was conducted with an objective to assess perceptions and practices of various Maternal and Health services in the study group.

Methods An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among women in reproductive age group residing in villages of a coastal block with a predesigned and pretested questionnaire.

Results Among the study population 54.7% women were in the 25-34 years age group, majority (46.7%) were illiterate and one-fourth of the study population age at marriage was below 18 years. Though 90.7% of study population were aware of the ongoing contraceptive practises only 37.4% of the respondents accepted some or other contraceptive methods. Fear of side effects (35.4%) found to be the chief reasons for unwillingness for adopting contraception. Majority (90.2%) responded that pregnant women need to go for ANC but only 51.9% knew correctly about minimum number of ANC. Women having adequate knowledge on ANC was found to be significantly associated with their educational status and age at marriage. Among PNC mothers 57.6% had completed the requisite no. of ANC and only 30% of respondents had completed the course of iron and folic acid tablet during their last pregnancy.

Conclusions The literacy status of the study population has to be improved which will lead to demand generation and utilization of the health and other services provided by the Government.