Determinants of utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services in Telangana

Background: Variation exists in utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services in public health facilities of developing countries. Provision of antenatal and postnatal care services is the major function of public health delivery system of India to improve maternal health outcomes. The objective of this study is to estimate the determinants of utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services stratified by geographical region in Telangana.Methods: It is a cross-sectional study of District Level Health and Facility Survey-4 of the state of Telangana. Multistage, stratified, probability proportional to size sample with replacement was used. 3065 women, who delivered after the year 2008, were considered for analysis. Descriptive analysis of components of antenatal and postnatal care services stratified by geographical region was carried out. Binomial logistic regression was carried out to determine association of demographic, system level variables with adequate antenatal care.Results: Study reveals variation exists across four regions of Telangana in utilization of maternal health services. Reception of adequate antenatal care is low in South region (20.6%) and high in East region (31.5%). Pregnant women with secondary education were 66% more likely to receive adequate antenatal care services compared to illiterate.Conclusions: Short term and long-term goals to be adopted and implemented by government to address the demand-supply imbalance such as public health infrastructure and quality of services in underperforming districts of Telangana to increase utilization of maternal health services by training health staff and engaging local communities to seek health care services