Utilization of MCH Services among the Postnatal Mothers in Selected Hilly Areas of Pauri District Uttarakhand

World health organization estimates that more than half a million women lose their lives in the process of reproduction. Use of maternal health services is an effective means for reducing the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in places where the MCH services utilization was poor.

The main objective of this study was to assess the utilization of MCH services among postnatal mothers in selected hilly areas of Uttarakhand.

The study has adopted exploratory descriptive design. The data was collected from 196 postnatal mothers within 42 days of postnatal period by administrating self structured questionnaire in selected community areas of Pauri District, Uttarakhand. Samples were selected by using convenient and consecutive sampling technique.

Majority of women sought at least one prenatal and one postnatal visit in health care providers during their recent pregnancy. The findings of study shows that approximately half (52.93%) of mothers utilized MCH services. Out of these services highly utilized MCH service was Janani Surkhsha Yojana cost benefits (82.7%) and institutional delivery (81.6%). The low utilized services by mothers were family planning services (18.36%).

This study demonstrated that utilization of maternal health services is inadequate in hilly area in general. The finding of this study will help the nurse-midwife who are working in community and hospital side to understand the utilization of MCH services and provides evidence to address women's problem for ensure effective utilization of available MCH services.