“BEYOND AVAILABILITY: UNDERSTANDING THE HURDLES IN MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH SERVICE UPTAKE IN RURAL KOLAR”
Main Article Content
Keywords
Maternal Health, Rural Healthcare, Service Utilization, Women's Health, Reproductive Services, Healthcare Barriers
Abstract
Background: Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care services are crucial for the survival and well-being of mothers and infants. Multiple factors contribute to delays in seeking and receiving adequate healthcare, resulting in high mortality rates. Understanding and addressing these barriers remains a critical focus of contemporary health programs.
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate barriers preventing MCH care service utilization among currently married women over 18 in rural Kolar.
Materials & Methods: The research targeted pregnant women or those with at least one child in the rural field practice area of Sri Devaraj URS Medical College, Kolar. Data collected between July and November 2023 were analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS V22.
Results: The cross-sectional study unveiled complex determinants of MCH service utilization. While institutional delivery rates were high at 91.5%, significant challenges emerged. Education was a critical predictor, with higher secondary educated participants showing 4.67 times higher pregnancy registration and 6.15 times higher HIV counselling odds compared to illiterate women. Early marriages (40% before 18 years) and limited health awareness were prominent issues. Occupation and marriage age significantly influenced healthcare engagement, with semi-professional workers and age above 18 marriages demonstrating improved service utilization.
Conclusion: The research revealed substantial gaps in MCH service utilization, primarily influenced by age at marriage, education, occupation, facility accessibility, cultural factors, and limited service awareness.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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G. Mohan Babu
Post Graduate, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (A Deemed to be University), Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
Vishwas S
Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (A Deemed to be University), Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.