Maternal Health and Family Planning: A Study among Women in Madhubani District, Bihar: Patterns, Determinants, and Policy Pathways

BHAVYA BHARTI

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.60721

Maternal Health and Family Planning: A Study among Women in Madhubani District, Bihar: Patterns, Determinants, and Policy Pathways

Author(s)	Ms. BHAVYA BHARTI
Country	India
Abstract	This study on maternal health and family planning in Madhubani district, Bihar, highlights both progress and ongoing challenges. Despite improvements such as increased institutional deliveries, major inequalities persist in access to antenatal and postnatal services, quality of maternity care, and postpartum contraceptive use. Local conditions, including high fertility, early marriages, widespread male migration, and entrenched social divisions, continue to influence reproductive health outcomes. Using a sequential mixed-methods design, the study combines quantitative data from 200 household surveys of women aged 15–49 with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions involving women, men, healthcare providers, and community leaders. The analysis applies descriptive and multilevel statistical techniques, equity assessment, and thematic coding to understand service uptake and related social dynamics. The research focuses on four objectives: mapping utilization trends in maternal health services; assessing women’s awareness, unmet needs, and choices regarding contraception; exploring how cultural norms and systemic health barriers affect outcomes; and offering policy recommendations to bridge existing gaps. Expected findings include persistent disparities across caste, class, and education, with limited autonomy and disrespectful care hindering women’s agency in reproductive decisions. Additionally, male migration is anticipated to significantly influence family planning choices and fertility preferences. The study aims to provide evidence-based guidance for designing inclusive, equitable, and context-sensitive strategies that strengthen maternal care, promote respectful health services, and support consistent postpartum contraceptive use in the district.
Keywords	Key words; Madhubani district, maternal health, family planning, antenatal care, postnatal care, institutional delivery, early marriage, male migration
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-15
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.60721

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Maternal Health and Family Planning: A Study among Women in Madhubani District, Bihar: Patterns, Determinants, and Policy Pathways

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