National Policy, Local Impact: Evaluating the Level of Awareness among Pregnant Women about PMMVY for Quality Maternal Health in Haryana

Background of the study: Women are the backbone of a family and they need adequate nutritional assistance throughout pregnancy. The absence of appropriate access to nutritious meals leads to anemia, weakness, fatigue, and other health concerns. Despite the essential need for proper diet, hygiene, and medication during pregnancy, only a minority of women genuinely have access to these necessities. Most women die due to the lack of essential healthcare and nourishing food. Consequently, their immune system weakens, leading to a range of physical and mental disorders. On December 31, 2016, the Union government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a primary maternity benefit program to deal with these challenges. The program is a conditional cash transfer initiative targeting primiparous women aged 19 and above who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. The program provides financial compensation to women for the loss of income resulting from childbirth and childcare. Additionally, it establishes conditions that ensure safe delivery and promote appropriate nutrition and feeding practices.

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna among antenatal mothers. To find possible solutions to overcome the barriers found as suggested by them in different districts of Haryana.

Research Methodology: This study employed a quantitative method with a descriptive research design and correlation analysis. The secondary data from the government report is used to analyze the implementation of the scheme. The research variable focused on the level of knowledge about the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. The study was conducted in a specific slum region located in five districts with the highest slum area in Haryana, these are Faridabad, Rohtak, Panipat, Kaithal, and Gurugram. The population consisted of expecting mothers, with a sample size of 250 respondents. The researchers employed a non-probability convenience sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was employed to gather data through the Likert scale. The validity of the instrument was assessed by specialists in the nursing profession, while the reliability was evaluated using the test-retest approach. The reliability coefficient of the tool was 0.85, indicating its reliability. A pilot study was conducted on 15% of the entire sample size due to the absence of any obstacles. The study was determined to be practical. The data analysis was conducted using frequency and percentage measures.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the level of awareness among pregnant women in slum areas of five districts of Haryana, highlighting that only 10% of respondents were fairly aware about Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). There is a positive and strong relationship between the level of awareness and proper implementation of PMMVY.