Experiences of urban slum dwelling women with maternal and child health services: A study of urban slums of Guwahati city

Background: Health is always an important aspect of human life and to achieve success in all spheres of life a person must stay healthy. Maternal health problems can be minimized only through more access to health care services among pregnant women. Maternal mortality is especially prevalent in urban areas due to rapid urbanization and the growing population in slum regions. Women and children face greater challenges, especially when it comes to maternal health. Objectives: The study aims to give an in-depth analysis of current maternal health status. Additionally, to explore the maternal health care awareness and practices of women residing in two slum areas of Guwahati City, Assam, Hafeez Nagar and Gandhi Basti. Method and Materials: This descriptive study examined maternal health challenges and service delivery in two slum areas of Guwahati, Assam: Hafeez Nagar and Gandhi Basti. The study involved in-depth interviews with 30 pregnant women aged 21–40, alongside 10 health professionals and frontline workers aged 25–45 who had served in these areas for at least one year. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically to capture women’s experiences and perceptions. Result: Anaemia is a common problem among women and poverty is a major cause of deaths of many women living in urban slums. The lack of awareness is a crucial reason for the high rate of maternal and child mortality in slum areas. Conclusion: There is still a gap in the healthcare system, particularly in maternal healthcare. This is primarily due to a lack of information in the community, which must be addressed. It also proposes improving maternal health awareness among mothers regarding government programs to improve maternal health status.Keywords: Development, health, maternal mortality, slum, women