Utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Rajasthan: Observations from the NFHS

Abstract

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 reiterated the need for appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and produce a healthy infant. Maternal care includes care during pregnancy and should begin from the early stages of pregnancy. Women can get antenatal care services either by visiting a health center where such services are available or from health workers during their domiciliary visits. The former gives an idea about the voluntary utilization of the services by women while the latter is related to the quality aspect of the services. One of the most important components of antenatal care is to offer information and advice to women about pregnancyrelated complications and possible curative measures for the early detection and management of complications.