A Study On Utilization Of Maternal Health Care Services In Urban Slums Of Kurnool City, Andhra Pradesh

INTRODUCTION: Provision of ANC services has a positive impact on pregnancy as it enables identification of risk factors, early diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy complications.it is also used by primary care physicians as a means to educate women about nutrition, breastfeeding, family planning, spacing after childbirth and promote healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVES:1)To assess the pattern of utilization of maternal health care services. 2) To study the association between socio-demographic factors and maternal health care services utilization in urban slums of Kurnool. Materials and Methods: A Community-based, Cross-sectional study was done among 320 mothers who were residing in urban slums of Kurnool, were selected by Simple Random Sampling Method, Data were collected between April 2023 to July 2023 using semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25.RESULTS: Majority of the mother(72.5%) had antenatal registration done in first trimester. 75.9% of mothers had >4 ANC visits,24.1% of mothers had < 4 ANC visits. 98.4% of mothers had received2TT injections.76.9% of mothers had consumed > 100 Iron and Folic acid tablets,23.1% had consumed < 100 Iron and Folic acid tablets. 91.6% of mothers delivered in Government hospital,8.4% delivered in Private hospital. statistically significant relationship was found between education and employment status of mother, economic status of the family with utilization of MCH services. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic development that prioritizes maternal education and women's empowerment can lead to better utilization of MCH Services, which in turn will improve and enhance the use of MCH Services.