Maternal and Child Health in Urban Slums – A Cross-Sectional Study at Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Background: Maternal and child health is a crucial dimension of healthcare quality and overall health conditions in a society. Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is influenced by factors such as limited healthcare access, poor living conditions, and social challenges, especially among high-risk populations like those in slums, migrants, and tribes. This study aims to assess the maternal and child health profile in urban slums of Madurai, Tamil Nadu and also to assess their healthcare seeking behaviour. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the mother and child dyad residing at slums of Aruldhaspuram, ManjalMedu and Gomaspalayam around Arapalayam, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu which were included as slum areas in the gazette of Madurai Corporation. The estimated sample size was 99. Data was collected door-to-door by personal interview method. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation were used to summarize the data collected.Results: 71% had consanguineous marriage; 13% of women had more than 3 children. 96% of mothers had complete Ante Natal Care (ANC) including Tetanus Toxoid (TT) immunization and Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation. 98% of the mothers had institutional delivery among whom 23 had caesarean delivery; 2% had home delivery. 56% of children had normal birth weight. 94% of mothers have practised exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months .94% children had had been immunized for age. 71% of them had permanent sterilization and 25% of the mothers are not using any family planning method among whom only 14% had not completed their family, whereas the remaining 11 did not opt for any family planning method which is the Unmet need for family planning.Conclusion: Majority are availing complete ANC, institutional delivery and immunization services. But there are still home deliveries and unmet need for family planning.