Does utilization of antenatal care result in an institutional delivery? Findings of a record-based study in urban Chandigarh
Sinha, S.; Upadhyay, R.Prakash.; Tripathy, J.Prasad.; Patro, B.Kumar.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 59(3): 220-222
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0142-6338 PMID: 23243078 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fms068Document Number: 576822
Antenatal care is an important pillar of safe motherhood initiative and is essential to reduce maternal as well as neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to explore whether women availing antenatal care are more likely to go for an institutional delivery. The study area was an urban resettlement colony located in Chandigarh. The antenatal records, at Urban Health Clinic, from January 2010 to December 2010 were analyzed. The information on the place of delivery was collected by the health workers during routine post-natal care visits. The records of 332 pregnant females were analyzed. Majority had an institutional delivery (75.9%). Women with higher education (i.e. more than secondary school) and those with first pregnancy preferred institutional delivery compared to those who were illiterate and multigravid respectively. There is a need to understand the societal and familial dynamics that influence the choice of the place of delivery.