Author(s): Madhulika Gautam

Abstract:
The possible reasons for high mortality and morbidity are the inadequacy of health services and ignorance regarding the need of obtaining medical care by pregnant or lactating women. ICDS has an important role to fill in this gap of knowledge and non-availing attitude of women. An assessment in the present study of the frequency of availing pre maternal services and the coverage of beneficiaries can give important information regarding actual benefits to the vulnerable groups. The study was conducted on three hundred ICDS beneficiaries and non beneficiaries women of Agra District. The sample was selected by multi stage random sampling technique. The obtained c2 value of 20.14 indicates that higher frequency of availed antenatal clinic services was associated with non beneficiary status of women. Significant association was observed between the beneficiary and non-beneficiary status of women with their status of TT vaccination during pregnancy (c2=32.26). Significant association was obtained between the beneficiary and non-beneficiary status of women and consumption of iron folic acid tablet during pregnancy (c2=11.17).