Awareness and effect of Janani Suraksha Yojana on antenatal care and institutional deliveries in rural, urban & tribal areas of Ahmednagar district

Description

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a centrally sponsored scheme which is being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and infant mortality by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women. The Government of India introduced the JSY (safe motherhood program) based on the principles of CCT. Under JSY, cash assistance was given to pregnant women receiving at least three antenatal check-ups (ANCs) and delivering at institutions. The study is undertaken to establish if there is any co-relation of level of awareness about the scheme and its impact on ANC and institutional deliveries in the rural, urban and tribal area of Ahmednagar district. Method: The JSY beneficiaries were asked demographic characteristics, area of residency, educational levels, Category and place of delivery were noted. A set of question (self-designed and pretested) and their responses were noted. Result: Out of 825 JSY beneficiaries, there were total 781 (94.7%) Hindu, Muslim 23(2.8%) and Christian 21 (2.5%) beneficiaries. Majority of Hindu religion JSY beneficiaries. Only few member from BPL JSY beneficiaries have opted for delivery at private hospital. Maximum deliveries taking place in civil hospital are from BPL category. It was observed that the awareness level about JSY is low in tribal area compared to the rural and urban area. It was also seen that 648 (78.54%) JSY beneficiaries availed free transport facility out of which 358 (55.24%) fall in high level of awareness category. There is a positive relation between age group and awareness about JSY. Conclusion: 46.8% women with high awareness about JSY scheme, it is a programme for pregnant women which aims at safe institutional delivery. Other factors such as education of mother, religion, culture, area of residence, family type played important role in utilization of available maternal health scheme.