Back to browse results
Socioeconomic Determinants of the Utilization of Antenatal Care and Child Vaccination in India
Authors: Zuhair M, and Roy RB
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 29(8):649-659; DOI: 10.1177/1010539517747071
Topic(s): Antenatal care
Child health
Health care utilization
Immunization
Mass media
Country: Asia
  India
Published: NOV 2017
Abstract: Antenatal care and child vaccination services are adopted worldwide to reduce the risk of child mortality, maternal mortality, and burden of infectious diseases. This article examines the effect of socioeconomic factors on the utilization of antenatal care and child vaccination services in India. The generalized linear model has been used along with the Indian National Family Health Survey data for the period 2005-2006. The analysis shows that the health insurance plan has a significant effect on the use of antenatal care but not in the child vaccination. Furthermore, there is inequality in the utilization of antenatal care as well as child vaccination services and it is positively related to the wealth. The study suggests that there is a need to improve the socioeconomic status of the financially weaker section of the society for improving the use of child and maternal care services. KEYWORDS: antenatal care; child vaccination; generalized linear model; health insurance; mass media exposure; national family health survey