Vol. 12, Special Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Kh. Ringsuachong Aimol, Sengrime Ch. Marak and Lydia Momin

Abstract:
In Meghalaya’s Garo tribe, institutional delivery remains low despite Government initiative through incentives. This study seeks to investigate the factors contributing to barrier in institutional delivery among women of Garo tribe. The study was conducted at Gambegre block of West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya. A total sample of 300 married women in the age group of 16 to 40 years having at least one living child from birth to 6 years was selected randomly and interviewed. The study found only 17.33 percent of the respondent’s opted health care for recent delivery. Factors associated with this low institutional delivery rate included challenging hilly terrain, poor road, inadequate transportation options, negative health care worker experiences lack of awareness, low educational level, distance from healthcare centers and birth order. To address this issue, the study recommends raising awareness on significance of institutional delivery, improving transportation infrastructure, creating supportive healthcare environment, offering tailored maternal health and child care in the local dialect, and community efforts to prevent early marriages.