Do Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Affect Utilization of Obstetric Care Services during Pregnancy/delivery Complications? A Case of Allahabad District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Maternal mortality is substantial burden in developing countries. India alone accounts about a quarter of the global maternal deaths. Among Indian states, Uttar Pradesh continues to be highest in maternal mortality. Birth preparedness and complication (BPCR) readiness has been promoted as key strategy to improve the use of skilled providers at birth, and key intervention to reduce maternal mortality. However, barely any study in India on BPCR and its impact on utilization of obstetric care services has been carried out. The present study aims to examine the impact of BPCR on utilization of obstetric care services among 401 currently married women of six villages of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh who had complications during their recent pregnancy. Analysis revealed that level of birth preparation emerged as strongest determinants for utilizing obstetric services during complications. Finding highlights that promoting birth preparedness in community may increase the utilization of obstetric care services.