Tropical Medicine & Surgery

Abstract

An Epidemiological Study on Socio Demographic Profile and Ante Natal Care Coverage of Mothers who Delivered their Babies in a Block Primary Health Centre in a Part of Rural India

Saibal Das

 Background and objective: This study was done to get an idea about the socio demographic profile and assess the ante natal care coverage of mothers who delivered their babies in a block primary health centre in a part of rural India. Materials and methods: This study was an observational and descriptive type of epidemiological study for 2 months. Sample size was n=180. Pretested questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha 0.871), ante natal cards, bed head tickets and other medical records were used as study tools. Results: 51.1% mothers were married before 20 years and 60.0% mothers were of less than 20 years age during 1st pregnancy. 50.6% mothers and 48.9% husbands of the mothers were illiterate. 86.1% mothers belonged to Below Poverty Level (BPL) category. 55.6% mothers were primi para. 49.4% women were late registered (booked) after 16 weeks of gestation, and 17.8% mothers were not registered at all. Only 15% mothers had 4 or more than 4 complete ante natal checkups done. 70.6% mothers received complete course of tetanus toxoid vaccine. 83.3% mothers did not receive different health and dietary advices and 28.9% mothers were not at all aware of the danger signs of pregnancy. Only 27.8% mothers received full dose of iron and folic acid supplementation. About necessary laboratory investigations and ultra sonography of feto-placental profile, only 12.8% mothers completed all necessary tests. Discussion and conclusion: Poor socio economic conditions, poor educational background and lack of awareness about the need of proper ante natal checkups, investigations, care and coverage might impose a heavy toll on maternal and infant mortality rates in future in these parts of the developing countries