Reproductive health behaviour of rural women

The extent and nature of reproductive health problems, and the actions taken for prevention/management of these problems were studied in rural area of district Ambala, Haryana. Maternal mortality rate was found to be 230/100,000 live births. Only 31% had died in hospitals; 64% cases were not referred. Main reason for non referral was ignorance about the nature of the complication in 54%. In another study done in 4 villages, 61.2% (367/600) married women of 15-44 years reported to be suffering from symptoms suggestive of gynecological disorders. Out of the 228 who had delivered in past 2 years, 103 (45.2%) reported to have suffered from illnesses in the maternity period, 19.3% had a major maternity complication. Government doctors were consulted in 29.2%, private doctors in 43.1%, health auxiliaries in 16% and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in 11.8% of the episodes. Average cost of treatment was Rs 211 per episode. For management of maternity related complication, 65.8% could identify a proper hospital. For conducting the delivery, 10% preferred doctors, 60.2% nurse-midwife, and 29.3% TBAs. Although 93.8% of the respondents knew about the places where pregnancy can be terminated, but only 13.8% knew that doctors conduct abortion. In view of the lack of proper understanding about the reproductive health problems, health education campaign should be launched so that maternity care facilities being upgraded in the country are utilised. Programmes for prevention and treatment of gynecological morbidity should also be initiated.