Inequities in the Utilization of Obstetric Care Services among Women in Urban Slums: A Cross-Sectional Study from Central Karnataka, India

• Published in: National Journal of Community Medicine
• Main Authors: Shubha B Davalagi, Rashmi Revanna, Nagarajachar Agadi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medsci Publications 2018-08-01
• Subjects: Inequity; Obstetric care; urban slums; Karnataka
• Online Access: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/763
• ISSN: 0976-3325; 2229-6816

Background: Utilization of obstetric services is a concept of ex- pressing the extent of interaction between the service and the beneficiaries for whom it is intended. It depicts the health infra- structure and services given. Objective: To know the obstetric services utilized by the women in reproductive age group during antenatal, natal & postnatal period in urban slums and factors influencing the utilization. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Davangere city among 300 mothers for one year. Data was collected from mothers using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi square test and logistic regression. Results: Among the respondents, 46% (138) were in age group 20- 24 years, 56% (168) were Hindus, and 74% (222) belonged to lower socio economic class. Majority of the mothers had accessed private hospital (75%), 99.3% had institutional delivery and 73% had at least two post-natal visits. The present study observed education of parents, occupation and type of family affect the utilization of obstetric services. Conclusion: There was decreased awareness about early registra- tion and postnatal visits. Majority of the mothers had accessed pri- vate healthcare services for antenatal care & the utilization of overall obstetric care was poor.