Maternal Health Challenges and Service Utilization in Poonch District: A Comparative Rural-Urban Perspective

Author(s)	Ms. Nazma Tayub, Ms. Swarti Rani
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract Maternal health remains a pressing global public health priority, particularly in geographically isolated, socio-economically underdeveloped regions. The Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, characterized by mountainous terrain and scattered rural settlements, reflects deep disparities in maternal health outcomes and service utilization between its rural and urban areas. This study conducts a comparative assessment of maternal health challenges and service patterns, drawing from secondary data sources such as NFHS-5, district health reports, and governmental policy reviews. Findings highlight significant rural disadvantages in antenatal care coverage, institutional deliveries, and postnatal visits, exacerbated by cultural, infrastructural, and personnel shortages. Urban areas, with better accessibility and awareness, exhibit improved maternal health service consumption. The study emphasizes the necessity of tailored interventions, reinforced referral networks, and community empowerment to reduce inequities, improve maternal outcomes, and strengthen health systems in this unique socio-geographic context.
Keywords	Keywords: Maternal health, rural-urban disparities, service utilization, Poonch district, antenatal care, institutional deliveries, postnatal care
Field	Mathematics > Economy / Commerce
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-07

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