Maternal Healthcare Utilization in Northeast India: Key Findings and Implications

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in Discover Public Health has shed light on the spatial patterns and determinants of maternal healthcare utilization in Northeast India. The research, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Delhi, employed choropleth mapping, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression to examine the utilization of maternal healthcare services in the region. The study found significant disparities in the utilization of antenatal care visits, skilled birth attendants, and postnatal care, with Manipur and Sikkim showing the highest levels of utilization, while Nagaland performed poorly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 49.7% of women in Northeast India utilized four or more antenatal care visits, 79.1% delivered with a skilled birth attendant, and 69.7% received postnatal care, which is lower than the national level.
  • The state and district-level patterns indicate significant disparities in the utilization of maternal healthcare services, with Manipur and Sikkim showing the highest levels of utilization, and Nagaland performing poorly.
  • Women with exposure to mass media, higher educational levels, Hindu religion, rich wealth quintile, and urban residence were significantly more likely to utilize maternal healthcare services than their counterparts.
  • Beneficiaries of government programs such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana, health insurance, and mother and child protection cards were significantly more likely to utilize maternal healthcare services.
  • The study recommends that special attention be given to women belonging to poor wealth status, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, living in rural areas, and having no education to increase maternal healthcare utilization in northeastern states.
  • The study also suggests that raising awareness and tailored policy intervention is needed in Nagaland and districts closer to international borders.

Statistics:

  • 49.7% of women in Northeast India utilized four or more antenatal care visits.
  • 79.1% of deliveries in Northeast India occurred with a skilled birth attendant.
  • 69.7% of women in Northeast India received postnatal care.
  • Manipur had the highest level of 4+ ANC, while Nagaland performed worst in utilizing all three maternal health services.
  • Beneficiaries of government programs such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana, health insurance, and mother and child protection cards were 2-3 times more likely to utilize maternal healthcare services than their counterparts.

Sources:

  • Spatial pattern and correlates of maternal healthcare utilization in the North Eastern Region of India: evidence from the National Family Health Survey, 2019-2021. Discover Public Health, 2025,22(1):1-14. Springer.
  • University of Delhi. Department of Geography. Delhi School of Economics.