| Abstrakt: |
Background: It is necessary for the policy makers to understand factors influencing utilization of services provided to mothers. This will help them to formulate interventions which can improve utilization. So present study was conducted to determine utilization and barriers of utilization of services provided to mothers in rural areas of Anand district in Gujarat state. Method: A sequential explanatory study was conducted in eight villages of Anand district from March 2018 to May 2018. Total 48 women of reproductive age were recruited through multistage sampling to assess utilization of services provided for maternal health through structured questionnaire. Reproductive age women (18-45 years), medical officers, female health worker and ASHAs were selected through purposive sampling for indepth interviews and focus group discussion to explore barriers of utilization of maternal health services. Results: 100% participants utilized antenatal visits at least once, 97.91% participants utilized intranatal services and 97.91% participants received visit by health care professionals. However mother’s health literacy, economical issues, influence of socio cultural believes and practices, response of health care provider, access and resource availability, physical response, gender bias, negligence and ignorance were perceived barriers of not utilization of various aspects of maternal health services. Conclusion: The study revealed that women had positive response towards utilization of services but it is a need of awareness programme for women on content and utilization of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
