Publication:

Determinants of maternal health care utilization at urban slums in Northeast India: a cross-sectional study

Background Factors affecting maternal health care utilization determine maternal mortality rate (MMR). Therefore this study has been carried out to out to assess the level and determinants of maternal health care service utilization in an urban slum of north-east India.

Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. The study area comprised of four municipal wards with well-defined geographical boundaries. All married women in the age group 18-45 years who were either pregnant and/ or had at least one child under 3 years of age on the day of survey residing in that area for a minimum of one year were the study population. Data collection was done by house-to-house visit. Descriptive analysis and chi-square test was used for data analysis.

Results Adequate utilization of IFA and TT was 86.3% and 84.4%, respectively. Adequate utilization of maternal health care was found to be 79.8% and 20.2% respectively. Age, educational status, income of the participants and birth order of the relevant child was found to be significantly associated with the maternal health care utilization.

Conclusions The study concludes that maternal health care utilization was found adequate among 79.8% of study participants, out of which antenatal care, intranatal care and postnatal care utilization rate was found in 85.4%, 89.8% and 82.5% respectively. Age, education, income of the women and birth order of their children were significantly associated with maternal health care utilization.