Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in Two Districts of Maharashtra

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in the field of maternal morbidity and mortality; newlinehowever maternal health continues to remain an issue of concern. Current estimates newlineby WHO et al., (2015) reveal that though there is an overall reduction in maternal newlineratio, it continues to be high in developing regions. The maternal ratio is 216 newline(maternal deaths for every 100000 live births) at global level, and varies greatly newlinebetween developed (12) and developing (239) regions. Within developing regions it is newlinehighest (546) in Sub-Saharan Africa followed by Southern Asia (176) and South newlineEastern Asia (110), Northern Africa (70), Eastern Asia (27) and Western Asia (91). newlineIndia accounts for 174 maternal deaths for every 100000 live births. During 2011-13 newlinethe highest (300) maternal deaths were documented in Assam and the lowest (61) in newlineKerala among the Indian states (MMR Bulletin, 2011-13 Office of the Registrar newlineGeneral and Census Commissioner, India). newlineMaharashtra is one of the socio-economically and demographically developed states newlineand has made significant progress in maternal health. Maternal deaths in the state have reduced to 68 for every 100000 live births as indicated by MMR Bulletin, 2011-13 (Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India). In spite of the newlineoverall progress in the state, maternal health still continues to remain poor in several regions of the state, particularly in tribal and regions hilly......... newline