AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS AND HEALTH LITERACY ON THE UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN DELHI NCR

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic status and health literacy are key determinants of maternal health outcomes and central to achieving India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although India has implemented multiple flagship maternal health programs, the country still accounts for nearly 12% of global maternal deaths, highlighting gaps in service utilization, especially in urban fringes and peri-urban regions. This study examines the effect of socioeconomic factors and health literacy on the utilization of maternal healthcare services in the Delhi NCR region.

Methods: Primary data were collected using a quota sampling method to ensure balanced representation across socio-economic strata and residential clusters (urban, semi-urban, and peri-urban) in Delhi NCR. The final sample comprised 400 women of reproductive age. Data were gathered through a well-structured questionnaire, which was pre-tested through a pilot survey to assess reliability and refine questions.

Results: The findings reveal that higher education levels, better income, and greater health literacy significantly increase the utilization of maternal healthcare services. Regression results show that socioeconomic status explains 85.9% of the variance in service utilization, while health literacy accounts for 56.7%. Despite proximity to health facilities, low insurance coverage and limited awareness of government schemes such as JSY and PMMVY hinder full uptake, particularly among marginalized groups.

Conclusion: Improving maternal health in urbanized regions like Delhi NCR requires more than physical infrastructure alone. Strengthening awareness, expanding insurance coverage, and building trust in public healthcare are vital to bridging the existing gaps. Community-based health education and enhanced outreach through frontline health workers can help achieve equitable maternal health outcomes and support India’s SDG targets.