Factors Influencing Non-utilization of Antenatal Care Services from Government Sector among Rural Pregnant Women — A Hospitalbased, Cross-sectional Study in Vijayapura District of North Karnataka

Background : Pregnancy is one of the most important events in the life of Indian women. Maternal care includes care, during pregnancy and should begin from the early stages of pregnancy.Maternal mortality and morbidity remain high even though National Programs exist for improving Maternal and Child Health in India. Among several factors related to it one is less or non-utilization of free maternal healthcare services, especially amongst rural women. Objectives : To measure the utilization of free Maternal Healthcare services & to study the factors determining the utilization of free Maternal Healthcare services by Rural Women during pregnancy. Methods : The study was conducted on the women admitted in postnatal ward after delivery, by using structured proforma containing questionnaire which included socio-demographic variables, details of present pregnancy, delivery & details of utilization and non-utilization of Antenatal Care Services given by their local Government Health Facility. Also, questions were asked about the reasons regarding their preference to the Private Hospital for delivery in spite of free delivery service at Government Hospitals. Results : The early identification of risk factors during pregnancy will be possible by Ultrasonography and other investigations, which is the main reason for a greater number of visits to private hospitals during pregnancy compared to Government Health Facility. Conclusion : Strengthening of Government Health Facility in terms of specialist Manpower and Material like Laboratory/Equipment’s/Drugs to handle the complications effectively during pregnancy or delivery by the specialist is need of the hour.