Submit Your Manuscript Online

Why Safe Motherhood and Child Survival are Still A Challenge in Chandi Region of Odisha State, India?

	International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development (IJSRED)	Full Text:
	Published Issue : Volume-4 Issue-2
	Year of Publication : 2021
	Unique Identification Number : IJSRED-V4I2P61
	Authors : Nainshi Kumari
	: Click Here

Abstract :

This paper discusses the perspectives of women from villages of Chandi, Odisha on Mother and Child Health concerns to understand their community specific socio-cultural norms and practices related to pregnancy, child birth and child care along with identifying their information needs on the same. The study was carried out in two phases. In phase I, FGDs were conducted in four villages of Chandi and in phase II, knowledge tests were administered on the women who were either pregnant or were mothers of at least one child in 0-2 years. The content of discussions and knowledge test was about the core Mother and Child health issues like antenatal care, institutional delivery, diet during pregnancy and post-partum, breastfeeding, immunization, family planning, provisions under different government MCH schemes etc. Majority of women were unaware of the key issues due to their limited exposure, unavailability of authentic sources of information and inability to follow the right practices because of poor socio-economic status, overwork and pre-conceived socio-cultural norms which impede their health seeking behaviour. Patriarchal structure of their communities with resultant gender dynamics and religious norms seem to play a major role in suppressing women's voices for their health needs. They don't seem to exercise any agency over their own body, health and fertility.