Socio-Economic Factors of Maternal Healthcare in India: 15 Years of National Health Mission

Abstract

Pregnancy and childbirth should be times of joy. However, safe motherhood and childbirth depend on the care and attention provided to pregnant women and newborns. Maternal health remains major health problem in India, with large inter- and intra-state inequities in maternal health service use and maternal deaths. Maternal health care coverage includes maternal mortality; and antenatal care includes post- and pre-natal care. The post mortality in both women and child is increased in many countries throughout the world, especially in developing countries due to low level of socio-economic development. The present study examines the contribution of India's National Health Mission (NHM) to maternal health includes both pre- and post-natal care at health institution with inequalities in various determinates of major health outcomes, at least visit of six ANC. In furthermore, the study examines socio-demographic factors of maternal healthcare utilization among Indian women. The data has been collected from an Indian National Family health survey between 2005-06 and 2019-21. A multiple logistic regression model has been used to estimate ratios associated with various visited ANC. It has been observed from the data post implementation of National Health that the institutional delivery increased by 58 percent to 88 percent, which indicates persistent increase in both rural and urban areas. It further observed the proportion of ANC visit by pregnant women is increased dramatically, with a higher percent at 89.38 percent—indicating rich women are more times visited to ANC, compared to poorer women. In further, study has indicated that educational attainment among women and family is most significant predicators of maternal healthcare utilization. As a result, maternal mortality has removed the inter and intra state disparities and forces women to make their delivery in more institutional and ensuring the reduction of child and mother mortality rate in the country, which helps to meet the sustainable development goals.