Knowledge, Utilization, and Perception of Janani Suraksha Yojana: A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study at an Urban Health Training Center in North-East Delhi
Pallavi Singh, Rohit KatreAbstract
Background:
Launched in 2005 as the part of India’s National Rural Health Mission, the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) encourages pregnant women to give birth in an institution to lower maternal and newborn mortality. Urban Delhi offers a unique setting for assessing JSY.
Objectives:
The objective of this study is to assess JSY coverage, utilization, and knowledge/perception among beneficiaries, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), and healthcare providers.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the urban health training center (UHTC) in North-East Delhi between June and August of 2020. Convenience sampling was used and a total of 75 participants comprising 40 JSY beneficiaries, 20 ASHAs, and 15 healthcare providers were enrolled. Data were collected through structured interview schedules. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS v25.
Results:
Despite the fact that 80.0% of beneficiaries were aware of JSY, only 12.5% of beneficiaries were aware of cash incentives at approved private hospitals and 15% were aware of the transport cash assistance. Institutional delivery rate was 80% (government) and 20% (accredited private). For basic JSY provisions, ASHAs awareness was almost universal (100%), but for travel incentives, it was 65%. All healthcare professionals (100%) were aware of JSY, and 93.3% of them accurately identified eligible beneficiaries. Only 25% beneficiaries and 10% of ASHAs considered cash incentives to be sufficient.
Conclusion:
JSY implementation at UHTC shows improved institutional delivery rates and predominantly bank-based disbursement, but gaps remain in transport incentive awareness, private-facility disbursement, and incentive-quantum satisfaction, underscoring the need for targeted IEC, ASHA capacity-building, and policy review.