A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UTILIZATION OF JANANI SURAKSHA YOJANA (MATERNITY BENEFIT SCHEME) IN RURAL AREAS AND URBAN SLUMS

Abstract

Background: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched on 12th April 2005, under the umbrella of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) with the main objective of reducing maternal, neo-natal mortality and promoting institutional delivery. It was implemented in all states and UTs with special focus on 10 low performing states (LPS). Uttarakhand is one of the LPS and JSY was implemented here in Sept.2005. Objective: To find out the difference in utilization of Janani Suraksha Yojana in rural areas and urban slums. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted under Rural Health Training Centre and Urban Health Training Centre of the field practice area of department of Community Medicine. A total of 227 married women in reproductive age (15-49 years), who delivered in government hospital were considered for the study out of which 88 women belonged to rural areas and 139 women were from urban slums. Results: Out of the total number of married women who delivered at govt. hospital i.e. 227, majority (78.42%) were registered with some health personnel. Out of these, 74.15% women were registered with ASHA and maximum number (83.64%) of these women belonged to urban slums. Only 29.21% women went for three or more ANC visits and the proportion was higher (33.64%) in urban slums. Only 48.31% women consumed hundred IFA tablets and the proportion was high (79.41%) in rural women. All the women received complete TT immunization. Conclusion: The JSY utilization was found to be low in rural areas i.e. 38.7% .Thus, IEC activities should be strengthened and ASHA’s work should be properly monitored.