Maternal and child health care–seeking behaviour and its determinants among tribal women in Tamil Nadu, India

Maternal health is a key indicator of universal health coverage (UHC) and an essential component of health security, particularly among marginalized populations in India. Despite programmatic expansion, inequities in maternal and child health (MCH) service utilization persist due to socio-economic and behavioural determinants. This study assessed health-seeking behaviour and factors influencing MCH service utilization among tribal women in Tamil Nadu, A community-based cross-sectional study. Selected tribal village in Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 415 married women who had experienced at least one childbirth. Full antenatal care (ANC) utilization was 49.4%, while adequate postnatal care (PNC) and institutional or otherwise safe deliveries were reported by 94.5% and 98.3% of participants, respectively. Full immunization coverage among children aged 12–23 months was 91.1%. Utilization of full ANC was significantly associated with maternal occupation, socio-economic status, mass media exposure, decision-making autonomy, early ANC registration, and use of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Safe delivery was associated with maternal age, early ANC registration, ICDS utilization, transport availability during labor, and pregnancy intention. Adequate PNC utilization was influenced by maternal occupation, place of delivery, distance to health facility, obstetric complications, and contraceptive use. High coverage of institutional delivery, PNC, and immunization reflects progress toward UHC and demonstrates the capacity of primary health systems to ensure maternal health security in tribal settings. However, gaps in iron–folic acid supplementation and contraceptive use indicate the need for targeted, equity-oriented interventions to strengthen continuity of maternal care. Health seeking behaviour, Maternal health services, Child Health services, Health Services Utilization Tribal population, Primary Health care.