ABSTRACT
Background: India was the first country to start family planning program in 1952. In the first 50 years there have been many changes in India. The family planning program name was changed from time to time. At the present scenario, its name is Reproductive and Child Health. In this study, authors evaluate utilization of family planning services with an objective to compare distribution of family planning services between the two regions of Uttarakhand: Garhwal and Kumaon.Methods: In this study, data mining was done using secondary database with the permission from International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) NFHS-4 data to carried out during 2015-2016 in Uttarakhand, India and estimate of the values for all the parameters of Family Planning was estimated. A statistical Z-score test was performed in the estimated of proportions in all study parameters of the family planning.Results: The study indicates that between the two divisions Garhwal has more utilization of family planning services as comparatively higher than Kumaon. Pithoragarh from the Kumaon division has more utilization proportion of family planning services in comparison to the other districts in the division, while Almora were recorded as the minimum use of family planning services. Uttarkashi in Garhwal region accounted for major proportion of utilization of family planning services, while Haridwar had minor proportions.Conclusions: Though overall utilization of family planning services of Uttarakhand is far better than other states in India but between the two divisions, Kumaon requires more attention in terms of utilizing services and awareness programmes. In fact, certain districts in Garhwal also require intervention from the Government to improve health quality. Both hilly and urban districts have different issues, which needs to be targeted to improve the health quality of the state.
ABSTRACT
Background: Maternal mortality remains a biggest setback in developing nations like India. Almost 90% of maternal deaths can be prevented by timely intervention, antenatal care acts as an effective tool to reduce both maternal and infant mortality. The objective of this study is to assess the utilization of antenatal care services in two divisions of Uttarakhand: Kumaun and Garhwal.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using secondary data source i.e. NFHS-4 data of Uttarakhand which is divided into two regions, Garhwal and Kumaun. Statistical test i.e. Z-test is used for the comparison between two regions and within inter districts of Uttarakhand.Result: The results of this study indicates that between the two regions i.e Kumaun has better utilization of maternal health care facilities. Nainital district recorded best and Pithoragarh district recorded the least utilization of ANC services in Kumaun division. In Garhwal division, district Chamoli and Dehradun recorded highest utilization of maternal health care services whereas Rudraprayag and Tehri-Garhwal had discouraging statistics.Conclusion: Uttarakhand has immensely progressed in terms of maternal health in recent times; still there are some key areas that require immediate attention. Certain districts in both Garhwal and Kumaun division need assistance to improve maternal health care seeking behavior amongst the mother and the family. Dissemination of information and benefits regarding the utilization of ANC services should be encouraged to achieve a reduction in maternal mortality.