Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Women with High-Risk Pregnancies Attending Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Clinic in A Rural Block of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal

Background: High-risk pregnancies (HRPs) significantly contribute to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in India. However, many pregnancies remain unclassified as high-risk. To address this, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched to improve the quality and coverage of antenatal care (ANC). This study aimed to estimate the proportion of HRPs and their correlates among PMSMA beneficiaries in a rural block of Purba-Bardhaman district, West Bengal. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six-month period at Pradhan-Mantri- Surakshit-Matritva (PMSM) Clinic among 190 women were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected by reviewing records as well as from selected study subjects using a pre-designed schedule and analysed using Jamovi v-2.4.8. Results: Data analysis revealed that 65.3% of pregnancies were high-risk, with 75% of these involving a single high-risk factor and 25% having multiple factors. The leading contributors were hypothyroidism (19.6%), previous Caesarean-section (14.2%), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (13.7%). Statistically significant associations were found between HRPs and caste, occupation, and ANC-registration status. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of improving antenatal care by enhancing screening and interventions. Future research and healthcare policies should focus on comprehensive strategies to identify and manage risks, improving maternal and infant health outcomes.