MEDIATING INFLUENCE OF CASTE AND AUTONOMY ON MATERNAL HEALTH –A STUDY IN RURAL WEST BENGAL

Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period which includes the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care. According to WHO 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries and maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. What makes maternal health special is its direct link with maternal and child mortalities and morbidities. Under such conditions this study focuses on the socio economic determinants of maternal health of a cross sectional population of women from rural West Bengal. The study reveals that social factors like caste and autonomy have significant impact on maternal health. Further regression analysis reveal the primary role of income and access to institutionalised health care as explanatory variable for maternal health. The ANNOVA carried out is significant at both 1% and 5% level.