Abstract:
Maternal health remains a critical public health challenge, particularly in low- and middleincome countries where maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high. This study investigates the utilization and barriers of maternal health services, focusing on the socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare-related factors influencing access among women admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan. Emphasis is placed on the timely and essential components of maternal care: Antenatal Care (ANC), Delivery Care, and Postnatal Care (PNC). A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to 192 women. The survey collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, ANC utilization, delivery, PNC uptake, and perceived barriers to maternal healthcare access. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics applied to assess patterns of service utilization and participant characteristics. Findings revealed that although the majority of women were aged 30–39 years (41.67%), illiterate (26.04%), and housewives (59%), 85.94% received antenatal care (ANC), 58.33% of deliveries were attended by a doctor or nurse and 72.72% received postnatal care (PNC). Key determinants of maternal health service utilization included the age, education, and employment status of both women and their husbands. Financial Constraints, long distance from home to health facility, and lack of awareness emerged as significant barriers to care. The study highlights the complex interplay of structural, socio-cultural, and individual factors influencing maternal health service uptake in rural Sindh. It underscores the urgent need for region-specific, culturally appropriate interventions aimed at improving health literacy, enhancing financial and logistical support, and strengthening the healthcare infrastructure. This study has certain limitations that include the bias of sample size, sampling technique, and the cross-sectional design of this study. The findings provide valuable insights for public health practitioners and local health authorities todesign and implement targeted strategies that address the unique needs of women in underserved regions of Pakistan.
