Determinants and Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in Urban Slums of an Industrialized City, in Western India

Objective: To assess the status of utilization of Maternal Health Care (MHC) services in slums of an industrialized city and elucidating the various determinants influencing the utilization. Materials and methods: A Cross-sectional study using multi stage sampling methodology was conducted in slums of an industrialized city. The study participants were the women who had given a live birth in the last one year before 4 weeks of the study starts. Total one hundred eighty families were interviewed analysed. Results: The utilization of MHC services was poor as compared to national averages in urban slums. There was no association between age of mother, birth order, educational and occupational status of head of family with utilization of services while education and employment of mother, category and type of family, distance and time to reach health facility, were significantly associated. Conclusion: The reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity mostly depends on the utilization of MHC services. The findings of this study have important implications for improving utilization of maternal health care services.