A Study on Utilization of Maternal Health Services and Factors Influencing the Utilization in Urban Slums of Lucknow

Maternal and child healthcare services are very important for the health outcomes of the mother and that of the child by ensuring that both maternal and child deaths are prevented.1 Many health programs have been launched in the country in last two-three decades for women and child health care. Health care utilization overall, and for maternal health specifically, has improved in India mainly due to NRHM2 but Maternal mortality and morbidity continue to be high despite the existence of national programs which could be due to sub optimal levels of utilization of services3-4 especially amongst the rural poor and urban slum population.5 Studies have also found the need for such services is greatest, i.e., among disadvantaged populations.6-9 Various studies conducted worldwide and in India have recognized socio-economic, demographic factors and service delivery environment as important determinants for the use of maternal health services.10-16 Uttar Pradesh is one of the eight states which is home to 43% of India’s urban poor with rates of utilization of maternal health services far below the national average. Hence there is a distinctive need of understanding the factors affecting the use of maternal health services. However, scarce research is available in the context of Uttar Pradesh of India. Hence the present study was conducted with an aim to assess the utilization of maternal health care services (ANC and PNC) and the association of factors on maternal health care utilization in urban slums in Lucknow. This study is expected to provide the policy makers findings which may help in improving the policy efforts in the ongoing program.