Poor, rural women missing out on antenatal care in north India.
A study of over 11,000 rural women in rural north India showed that only around 40% received any type of antenatal check-up during their last pregnancy. Of these, the majority received predominantly tetanus toxoid vaccination and a supply of iron and folic acid tablets. Only 13% of pregnant women had their blood pressure checked plus at least one blood test. Women visited by health workers received fewer services compared to those who visited a health facility. Doctors were often the lead providers with significant under-utilisation of nurses or midwives in antenatal services. Pregnant women from poor and uneducated backgrounds with at least one child were the least likely to receive antenatal check-ups and services. These findings suggest substantial limitations of the health services in overcoming socio-economic and cultural barriers with respect to antenatal care. (1)(1.) Pallikadavath S, Foss M, Stones RWRW. Antenatal care: provision and inequality in rural north India. Social Science and Medicine 2004;59(6):1147-58.
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| Title Annotation: | ROUND UP: Service Delivery |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Reproductive Health Matters |
| Article Type: | Brief Article |
| Geographic Code: | 9INDI |
| Date: | May 1, 2005 |
| Words: | 160 |
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