Reported practices of pregnant women under mother and child tracking system in rural areas of district Varanasi

Background: Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) was launched by the government of India to track pregnant women for complete obstetric care and also children to achieve full immunization. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the reported practices of pregnant women under MCTS in rural areas of District Varanasi. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 3 blocks of Varanasi district by using multistage random sampling method. The pregnant women in the selected villages were interviewed using a predesigned and semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS trial version 19.0. Results: More than three fourth (77.55 %) pregnant women were registered under MCTS and out of which 36.2% were registered within first trimester. 63.8% pregnant women had done their first ANC visit during the second trimester and only 14.0% have completed four or more visits. All pregnant women had received tetanus toxoid (TT) injection and only 5.9% consumed more than 100 iron folic acid. Only 5 (15.2%) had received voice calls from government regarding Janani Suraksha Yojana benefits and visit of ASHA during delivery. Health workers and family members were found to be the major sources of information regarding ANC services other than messages/calls received from MCTS. Conclusion and Recommendations: Findings of this study revealed overall low practices of early registration, 4 ANC visits and consumption of 100or more than IFA tablets. Therefore there is a strong need to increase counseling during first visit about age of marriage and child bearing, encouragement for more registration during first trimester, consumption of iron tablets, and referral of high risk cases to higher centers, importance of giving mobile number and about tracking system.