Paper short abstract:

Reproductive health data of semi-urban population indicate that expecting mothers face induced abortion due to improper antenatal check up and low intake of Iron Folic Acid. Prejudices and indifference could play hindrance to access the medical amenities.

Paper long abstract:

Reproductive health data from six semi-urban population groups (2050 women) of northeast India were obtained to portray a microcosm of health seeking behaviour in this region. Our assessment of health services for safe motherhood and its utilization indicates that expecting mothers have very limited access to reproductive health facilities. One-fourth of mothers were not administered even a single dose of Tetanus Toxoid throughout gestational period and only one-third of them reported intake of Iron Folic Acid at pregnancy. Almost half of them did not avail any antenatal check up and post natal check-ups were done only in cases of post-pregnancy complicacies. Child deliveries at hospitals and clinics are lesser. Induced abortion is seen as a major contributor of prenatal mortality. Educational level, occupational status, prejudices and indifference are among the major determinants of poor access to prevailing medical amenities.