Evaluation of socio-economic inequalities in the use of maternal health services in rural and peri-urban areas of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India

Title: Evaluation of socio-economic inequalities in the use of maternal health services in rural and peri-urban areas of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India

Saikat Majumdar1,Dr  Ashoke Gorain2 , Dr Susmita Banerjee3

1Public Health Professional, Government of West Bengal and Research Scholar in Anthropology, Ranchi University, Jharkhand, India. Email: soikat2005@rediffmail.com

2 Public Health Professional,  Government of West Bengal and Academic Councilor, IGNOU, New Delhi, India. Email: ashoke.gorain@rediffmail.com

3 Visiting Professor, Hoon Meritime Institute, Email: susmitadoc19@gmail.com

Corresponding Author

Saikat Majumdar (as above)

Abstract

Background

Inequalities in maternal health care services prevent women of reproductive ages from accessing required care. The existence of equitable distribution channels can substantially diminish these discrepancies. Since the implementation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005, Maternal Mortality Ratio has significantly declined in India through a noticeable improvement in maternal health care services. However, India lags behind to achieve the target of millennium development goal (MDG5) to reduced maternal mortality ratio and improve universal reproductive health by 2015 The objective of this study was to evaluate the socio-economic inequalities, and factors associated to the use of maternal health services in rural and peri-urban areas of Birbhum district, West Bengal.