Differential in Utilization of Maternal Care Services in Empowered Action Group States, India (1990-2006)

Background: Low use of maternal care services is one of the reasons why child mortality and maternal mortality is still considerably high in India. Most maternal deaths are preventable if mothers receive essential health care before, during, and after childbirth. In India, the eight socioeconomically backward states referred to as the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states; lag behind in the demographic transition and low utilization of maternal health care services. Addressing the maternity care needs of women may have considerable ramifications for achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG – 5). \ud Aims & Objectives: To explore the prevalence, trends and factors associated with the utilization of maternal care services in Empowered Action Group States, India (1990-2006). \ud Material Methods: Data from three rounds of the round of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), known as the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of India were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate-pooled logistic regression model were applied to examine the utilization of the maternal and child health care trends over time. \ud Result: The results from analysis indicate that the full ANC and skilled birth attendant (SBA) has increased from 17% and 20% to 25% and35% respectively during the last one and half decade (1990-2006). \ud Conclusion: Various socioeconomic and demographic factors are associated with the utilization of maternal care services in EAG states, India. Promoting the use of family planning, female education, targeting vulnerable groups such as poor, illiterate, high parity women, involving media and grass root level workers and collaboration between community leaders and health care system could be some important policy level interventions to address the unmet need of maternal and child health care services among women. The study concludes that much of these differentials are social constructs that can be reduced by prioritizing the needs of the disadvantaged and adopting appropriate policy change options in EAG states in Indi