A Longitudinal Study of Utilization Pattern of Antenatal Care Services among Pregnant Women in Rural Area of Guntur District, A.P.

Objectives: To study the profile of antenatal care received by pregnant women

Study Design: Longitudinal study.

Setting: Rural field practice area of Dept of Community Medicine

Participants: All women (n =110) from rural field practice area of Dept of Community Medicine who were pregnant at the start of the study

Statistical Analysis: Proportions

Results: Most of the pregnant women (93.27%) were registered for antenatal care, but only 26.36% of them were registered in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. As regard to TT immunization, 75% of the pregnant women had received 2 doses or 1 booster dose. Iron and Folic Acid supplementation was taken by 59.62% of the pregnant women. Nearly 45.19 % of pregnant women were provided with full antenatal care. The main antenatal care provider for pregnant women was doctor (70.19%).

Conclusion: The study showed early and wide spread use of antenatal care, but it also revealed that the antenatal visits occur late in the pregnancy.