Health seeking behavior and utilization of health services by pregnant mothers in Vadodara slums.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To study the health seeking patterns of women for Antenatal care during pregnancy & to study the utilization of delivery services by women and the utilization of child health care during first month of life of new born. METHODOLOGY: Present study is a longitudinal qualitative study. 30 Anganwadis were selected by systemic random sampling. Total 60 women from 30 Anganwadis in third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in the study after their consent by in-depth. They were studied for their pregnancy perception and health seeking behavior during pregnancy (Phase I). They were then followed up after one month of delivery for the childbirth experience (Phase II). RESULTS : Around (87%) of the women were registered in Anganwadi as the Anganwadi worker had come and registered. More than half (54%) of the women were registered by the end of first trimester. Most of them preferred to go in Private hospitals. Almost all women (97%) used to go for Antenatal Care for their baby’s good health and safe delivery. Majority preferred Private Hospital for delivery. Only few (8%) went for home delivery. Around 2/3 rd of women had their Postnatal Check up (PNC) done. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of women preferred private hospital for delivery in spite of being from lower socio economic group and most of the mothers ignored postnatal care.