Comparison of the Demand Barrier and Supply factor for the Utilization of Ante-Natal Care Services in India

Concentration of poor health among the deprived and cost restriction to access health care services lead to higher utilization of public health facilities by the poor than the rich. Supply centric public health policy usually not advancing the poor’s health. Thus, for effective health care utilization government should simultaneously address the supply factor and demand barriers. Using data from 3rd round of District Level Health Survey (DLHS-3, 2007-08), we have endeavored to find out the supply factor and demand barriers for antenatal care (ANC) services by women aged 15-49 years. We have focused ANC because it is the best and cost effective strategy to achieve both MDG4 (under-5 mortality) and MDG5 (maternal mortality). Result shows that 55% women did not go for ANC due to demand side barrier of not necessary. On the supply side 24% women could not go for ANC due to too much cost of ANC services. Importance of custom and knowledge barrier decreases with socioeconomic status, but feeling not necessary to demand ANC increases. Result suggests that public health intervention should simultaneous address the supply and demand side barriers for the effective utilization of health care (ANC) services.