Comparison of Knowledge About Antenatal Care and Free Government Services Among the Pregnant Women Residing in Urban Slums and Rural Areas of North India

Authors: Namita Singh, Anjoo Agarwal, Monika Agarwal, Renu Singh

DOI: 10.18231/j.ijogr.10169.1758876258

Keywords: pregnant women,antenatal care, awareness,government services

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background of the study: The past research evidence indicates that pregnant women’s awareness and positive attitude towards antenatal care can reduce the adverse effects. Objective: The present study compares the effect of sociodemographic factors on the knowledge towards antenatal care and free government services among the pregnant women of urban slums and rural areas of north India. Methods: It was a community-based cross-sectional study. A total of 744 women, 372 from urban slums and 372 from rural areas of district Lucknow, were enrolled through multistage random sampling. A self-developed questionnaire was applied to enquire about the impact of sociodemographic factors on ANC knowledge and free government services. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 software was used for statistical analysis. Result: Most participants were between the ages of 20-25 years; belonged to the Hindu community and were SC/ST (39.11%); housewives (93.8%) belonged to middle-class; were multigravida (65.45%), registered in government facilities (85.26%), had contact with ASHA (88.9%), received four ANC visits (56.2%) and advised by ASHA (44.71) on different topics during their visits. Association with sociodemographic variables such as religion, category, education, occupation, and socioeconomic status (p<0.05) was significant and the women who had contact with ASHA had better knowledge about ANC and free government services. The women residing in the two settings disclose a significant difference: rural women had better knowledge than urban slum women. Conclusion: The majority of the participants tended to have less awareness and knowledge towards the various parameters of ANC and free government services. A customised health intervention program aiming to improve the knowledge of the reproductive population about maternal health practices and free government services can be used to increase the optimal use of ANC services.