Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality is on an average 18 times higher in developing countries as compared to developed countries. Despite the existence of many national programs for improving maternal and child health, maternal mortality and morbidity continue to be at higher side, at an unacceptable level.

Objective: (1) To know the extent of maternal health care utilization; (2) To study the factors affecting utilization of maternal care services.

Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum during September and October 2014. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. All married women in the age group of 15–45 years who were either pregnant at time of interview or had delivered within last 1 year were included. A total of 100 such women identified by door-to-door survey participated in the study after getting informed oral consent. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and was analyzed in Epi Info 7. “P” < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result: Around 80% respondents received antenatal care (ANC) and 20% did not seek ANC. Overall, ANC registration was quite good (92%) but within first trimester it was only 58%. Immunization for tetanus was 79% but consumption of iron and folic acid tablets was 76%. Reason for inadequate utilization was mainly due to either unawareness or financial constraints.

Conclusion: The utilization of ANC services and deliveries at health centers were significantly associated with education of the women, education of their spouses, and socioeconomic status of the family.

Key words: Maternal care, barrier, urban slum, utilization