Utilization of intranatal and postnatal health services among tribal women in India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Utilization of intranatal and postnatal health services significantly influences maternal and neonatal outcomes in India. Despite a notable increase in institutional deliveries, access to skilled care remains inconsistent, particularly in rural and tribal regions. This study aims to assess the utilization of intranatal and postnatal health services among married tribal women in India. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 married women selected via disproportionate stratified sampling from villages in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Data was collected using a structured interview schedule and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: The majority (81.6%) of participants reported institutional deliveries, with 86% undergoing normal vaginal delivery. Despite high rates of institutional births, 72.7% did not receive the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) incentive and 63.3% did not access Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) services. While 96.3% of children were fully immunized, only 51.8% of mothers-initiated breastfeeding within 30 minutes post-delivery. Conclusions: Although institutional delivery rates and immunization have improved, significant gaps persist in utilization of government maternity schemes. Enhanced outreach, community engagement and tailored interventions are critical for improving maternal and child health outcomes in tribal regions.