Rural women’s Perspective on Utilization of Maternal Health care services with special reference to Karkala Talluk, Udupi District of Karnataka

Mrs. Jyothi. P. S, Dept. Of Social Work,

Mangalore University, Manalaangothri.,Mangaslore, Dakshina Kannada

Karnataka.

Introduction

Health is fundamental human right

Healthy person is an asset to the society

Rural women are the most disadvantaged Barriers to rural women Personal Relational Institutional

Reproductive Health: Most important period in the life span

of women Extends from menarche to menopause

Maternal health care includes: Pre-natal services Intra-natal services Post-natal services Family planning services

Aim of the Study :

To understand the perspective on reproductive health and the maternal health seeking behavior of married rural women (20 to 45 years) to manage the health problems during pregnancy and after delivery.

Objectives of the study :

To know the Socio- demographic profile

To understand pattern of maternal health care received by the respondents

To identify knowledge and use of contraceptive methods.

Method of the study

Study design: Descriptive studyStudy sample: 60 married rural women, Study period : February 2009 to April 2010Study area: KarkalaTalluk, D.K, Karnataka.Data collection: Primary and Secondary data Primary data: Pre-tested semi structured

Questionnaire used to collect data

Data Analysis: Data was analyzed using simple proportions and

percentages

Table 1: Socio-economic Status

Socio-economic status ResponsesRespondents n=60 Percentage

Age 18 - 2713 21.7%

28 - 3736 60%

38 -4511 18.3%

Education Illiterate7 11.7%

Primary13 21.7%

High school12 20%

PUC14 23.3%

Graduation13 21.7%

Occupation Coolie14 23.3%

Beedi rollers 39 65.0%

Salary earner7 11.7%

Religion Hindu53 88.3%

Muslim6 10.0%

Christian1 1.7%

Type of family Joint family10 16.7%

Nuclear family50 83.3%

Monthly Income < Rs.5000 3863.3%

Rs.5001-Rs.10000 1525.0%

Rs. 10001-Rs. 15000 711.7%

Table 2: Demographic Profile Demographic profile

Respondents n=60 Percentage

Age at marriage (years) 18-22

29 48.3%23-27

28 46.0%28-32

4 6.7%Age at first Pregnancy (years) 18-22

24 40.0%23-27

28 46.7%28-32

8 11.7%Number of children 1-2

29 48.3%3-4

23 38.3%5-6

8 13.4%Spacing between children (in years)

One

30 50%Two

23 38%Three

16 26%Four

2 4%

Table 3: Maternal Health careindicators

Responses Respondents( N=60) Percentage

General check up Not at all4 6.6%

Every month 25 41.7%

Once in three months10 16.7%

Sixth month 9 15%

During the delivery 12 20%

Immunization Yes 54 90%

No6 10%

Place of delivery Hospital 42 70%

Home18 30%

Care Taker Mother26 44%

Worker18 30%

Mother in law12 20%

Husband4 6%

Opinion Highly satisfied0 0

Satisfied18 30%

Not satisfied42 70%

Consumption of Nutritious food Yes 36 60%

No 24 40%

Table 4: Awareness on Contraceptives

Responses Respondents n=60 Percentage

Awareness Yes 45 75%

No 15 25%

Source of Information Self Help Groups 48 80%

Media 12 20%Usage of contraceptive methods Yes 58 96.6%

No 2 3.4%

Methods adopted (N=58) Permanent

47

81.2%

Temporary

11

18.8%

Recommendation:

Proper care should be taken during the pregnancy, childbirth and contraception

To solve the reproductive health problems arise in old age which will affect the general health conditions

Health personnel, anganwadi workers and family attendants can play a very important role

There is need to focus on educational programmes.

Thank You