Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services Among Tribal Women in Empowered Action Group States in India

Abstract

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care services mainly focus on the utilization among tribal women in Empowered Action Group (EAG) states in India. For this study, the NFHS-4 (2015–2016) data were used. Analysis was performed on 54,448 women aged between 15–49, who have a child below 5 years of age, by using bivariate logistics regression, chi-squared test and the Moran-I (Univariate) statistical techniques. Results show that only 11% of tribal women accessed full Antenatal Care (ANC), and 54% of women received Postnatal Care (PNC) in EAG states. More than one-third (34%) of tribal women delivered in their homes compared to institutional delivery (66%). Women with higher education are significantly more likely to utilize ANC and have institutional delivery compared to the women with no-education. Also, mothers from the most abundant wealth status are significantly more likely to receive ANC and PNC and have institutional delivery compared to women with poorest wealth quintile. Considering the inter-EAG states comparison, state like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are performing poorly. Hence, out of all EAG states districts almost 3–7 districts from (low–high) and 8–11 districts from (high–low) groups show negative autocorrelation or outliers to received MCH care services. Despite continuous and improving efforts of the government, the utilization of MCH services is very low among tribal women in the EAG states of India.