Introduction:
Maternal and Child Health issue is national as well
as global health issue. In India, Maternal Mortality
Ratio (MMR) is nearly 130/100,000 in 2014-16 which
can be reduced by universalizing delivery and sick
infant care in the institutional fold. To attain this goal,
Indian Government has initiated schemes like Janani
Suraksha Yojona (JSY) and the Janani-Sishu Suraksha
Karyakram (JSSK). Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy
Maternity Benefit Scheme is an initiative of Tamil Nadu
Government in which financial assistance of Rs. 18,000
is given in 3 installments.
Aim and Objective:
To assess the knowledge and utilization of
Reproductive and Child Health care schemes among
mothers.
Methodology:
A Cross sectional study was conducted for a
duration of 8 weeks among antenatal women and
mothers having under five child in the Thirumazhisai,
Semi-Urban area of Chennai. A total of 150 women
were included from 15 wards. The information obtained
about knowledge and utilization of
JSY,JSSK,DR.Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit
Scheme was recorded, exported to Microsoft
spreadsheet and analysed with the help of SPSS
Software. Descriptive statistics and quantitative data is
presented as Mean (standard deviation) and qualitative
data is presented as proportion, tables, and bar
diagrams.
Result:
The mean age of the population is
26.04667(0.28713 ). Around 54% of the respondents
had schooling up to high school level, 7.3% respondents
are illiterate and 20.67% respondents are graduate.
Majority of the respondents [144(96%)] were found to
be housewife. Out of 150 women, 83(55.3%) were aware
about JSY, 119(79.3%) were aware about JSSK and
143(95.3%) were about Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy
maternity benefit scheme. Only 14 (60.8%) of the
eligible women utilized JSY. Around 72.6% (109) of
women utilized JSSK and 76% (114) utilized Dr.
Muthulakshmi Reddy beneficiary scheme.
Conclusion:
While comprehensively analysing the issue of non-
exploitation of various services and schemes among
pregnant women, we find that the literacy , socio-
economic status,lack of information and adequate
knowledge regarding the initiatives to be the main
attributes. The important domain that needs to be
intervened right now are creating awareness which can
be done by improving IEC activities (Information,
Education and Communication) through models like
print, electronic, traditional, personal communication
and proper service provision, regular sufficient fund
, timely availability of services, active monitoring-
supervision.