Evaluation of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) in Maharashtra, India: Important Lessons for Implementation

Aims: The study was conducted to estimate the proportion of eligible women for Janani Suraksha Yojana and to understand the factors affecting receipt of benefits in Maharashtra State, India.
Methodology: It was as comparative observational study conducted in Maharashtra State having a population of 112.37 million. Each district was divided into five strata tribal, rural, Municipal Council, slum and non-slum in Municipal Corporation. In each district about 2400 household were surveyed comprising proportionate quotas from each stratum. Surveying unit from each stratum was randomly selected. The study population consisted women delivered in 2008-2009 year. Firstly Head of household was interviewed for confirming child delivery in the reference period. Then delivered woman was interviewed for checking eligibility to JSY and then details of receipt of benefits were obtained from her. Receivers and non-receivers of benefits were compared with respect to some variables. The study was undertaken with the help of Community Medicine Department from Government Medical Colleges.
Results: In the reference period 4,544 women delivered children and 41.15% were found eligible for the scheme. But only 52.57% certainly received cash benefits. About 24% surely did not receive and 23% were not sure about receipt or the scheme and hence included in non-receiver group for further analysis.
Non-earning women, not delivered in public health care institutions and un-aware about the scheme were unlikely to receive the benefits. Ante Natal Care visits, immunization, receipt and consumption of Iron and Folic Acid tablets were better among beneficiaries then non-receivers of the benefits. The benefits were not received immediately after delivery. About 10% women had problems in receiving the benefits, particularly requirement of certain certificates.
Conclusion: The uptake of the scheme may be slightly higher than 53% and there are many factors responsible for not reaching to entire eligible population. Modifiable risk factors like delivery in government health institution and awareness about the scheme are playing major role in receiving the benefits.