Timely utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) remains critical
for reducing maternal mortality, yet considerable disparities in ANC access
persist due to multifaceted socio-economic and health system determinants. The
present study aims to (1) identify and quantify the socio-economic,
demographic, psychological, and infrastructural determinants influencing ANC
utilisation among women in Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu; (2) examine the
principal barriers to accessing ANC; and (3) analyse district-level trends in
childbirth and infant mortality. Data were obtained from 2,101 pregnant women
aged 17–36 years who received care at 42 Primary Health Centres and 9
Government General Hospitals. Utilizing structured questionnaires and robust
statistical analysis—including stratified random sampling and multiple
regression techniques—the study assessed key factors associated with ANC
uptake. The results demonstrate that maternal age, age at marriage, family
size, educational attainment, health status, and proximity to health care
facilities are statistically significant predictors of ANC use. In contrast,
household income was not a statistically significant predictor of ANC
utilization (p=0.060), indicating that the widespread availability of free
public health services likely mitigates direct financial barriers. The findings
also establish that Primary Health Centres serve as the predominant sources of
ANC, with institutional deliveries prevailing across the district. Despite
these positive trends, the research reveals ongoing geographic disparities in
infant mortality rates. Collectively, the results underscore that demographic
and infrastructural variables substantially shape patterns of ANC utilisation.
The study thus highlights the necessity of targeted interventions, especially
those aimed at educational advancement, improved accessibility, and service
delivery improvements, to address enduring inequities faced by
socioeconomically or geographically marginalised women.
Author(s) Details
Vadivel Sivalingam
Postgraduate and Research Department of Geography, Thanthai Periyar
Government Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli – 620023,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Anandan Rethinam
The Government of Tamil Nadu, India.
Mayakannan Ayyanar
Department of Geography, Government Arts College for Women, Nilakottai,
624208, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sankar Karuppaiyan
Postgraduate and Research Department of Geography, Government Arts College
(Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001, Tamil Nadu, India. India.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aodhr/v7/6585
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