Maternal And Child Health Service Utilization And Its Relation With Physical Growth And Development Of Infant A Community Based Study In Rural Belgaum India

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth are special opportunities in women s lives, and their families. Although these are natural physiological process, they become complicated risks for every woman. The consequences are observed on both mothers and babies. The United Nations Fund for Population Activities in 2011 estimated that 210 million women become pregnant every year. Out of which, 86.66 percent belongs to developing countries. Moreover, almost a half million women die every year during pregnancy and delivery. India covers 20 percent and 25 percent of global maternal and child mortality respectively. About 40 percent of mothers experience general complications, whereas 15 percent bear life-threatening problems due to pregnancy and childbirth. Similarly, malnutrition is the underlining cause of 50 percent deaths among the world over children. Additionally, 46 percent of children less than three years of age are underweight, one third are stunted and one fifth are wasted. Most of such problems can be prevented if women get access to safe motherhood services. Hence, health care services targeting mothers and children might be an effective health intervention for safer and healthier outcomes. Meanwhile, acceptance and utilization of the services are crucial in averting the deaths and in promoting health of the mothers and children. Objectives: To find out the maternal and child health service utilization pattern and its relation to the growth and development of the infants. Materials and methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 630 mothers infant pairs during August 2012 to January 2013 in the rural areas of XXII Abstract Belgaum district, Karnataka, India. A two staged 30 cluster sampling technique was used. Data was collected through interview using pre-tested structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement tools. Voluntary informed consent was taken before carrying out the study. Analysis of data was performed using SPSS-20 version and WHO anthrop. Statistical methods lik