Utilization of antenatal services by pregnant women attending mamta divas in rural areas of Bhavnagar District of Gujarat.

ABSTRACT

Background: Mamta divas is an important health program implemented in India to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate. According to WHO, most maternal deaths are preventable if women have access to basic medical care during pregnancy, delivery and post partum period. Objectives: To assess utilization of Antenatal services by pregnant women attending Mamta Divas in rural areas of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat. Methods: A community based, cross-sectional study was carried out in 22 sessions (Mamta divas) selected by simple random sampling from 11 Talukas of Bhavnagar district & 210 pregnant women interviewed by pre tested questionnaires. Results: Most of the pregnant women were registered in first trimester (61.4%). Only 63% and 65.3% of them received two doses of tetanus toxoid & Iron folic acid supplemetaion respectively. During their visit, 23.8% of pregnant women were counselled for nutrition, 25.2% for danger sign of pregnancy and 20.5% for institutional deliveries. Conclusion: Health education of all pregnant women should be done at individual level by female health worker. All pregnant women should be counselled for institutional deliveries & all components of Antenatal care. More emphasis should be put on identifying the danger signs, examining the abdomen, & Hb and urine examination during visit at Mamta divas.