Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services in Purulia District West Bengal

Abstract

Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services in Purulia newlineDistrict, West Bengal newlineIntroduction newlineMotherhood represents a transformative and pivotal phase in a woman s life, newlinedemanding proper medical care, robust support systems, and adequate nourishment. newlineHowever, the path to safe motherhood is often fraught with challenges, particularly in newlinedeveloping regions where socio-economic, bio-demographic, and geographic newlinedisparities hinder access to essential Maternal Healthcare Services (MHS). Maternal newlinemortality and morbidity remain significant global issues, with millions of mothers in newlinedeveloping nations facing life-threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth, newlineand even postpartum. In India, the utilization of MHS continues to be a critical concern, newlineespecially in socio-economically disadvantaged areas such as the Purulia district of newlineWest Bengal. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the newlineutilization of MHS in Purulia lags behind other districts in the state, underscoring the newlineurgent need to address the barriers preventing access to these vital services. This study newlineaims to explore the factors influencing MHS utilization, including socio-economic, newlinecultural, and healthcare-related determinants, with a specific focus on the role of newlinerespectful maternity care and male involvement. newlineObjectives newlineThe study aims to assess the current status of MHS utilization and high-risk newlinepregnancies in rural Purulia, examine maternal knowledge and husband participation in newlinematernity care, identify key factors influencing MHS utilization, explore mothers newlineexperiences with respectful maternity care, and provide recommendations for newlineimproving MHS utilization. newlineData source and methods newlineThe study employs a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and newlinequalitative approaches. Primary data was collected through a structured household newlineschedule, focus group discussions (FGDs), and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with rural newlinemothers in Purulia. Secondary data was obtained from the NFHS fact sheets, census newlineIV newline newlinerecords,