Multi-level modeling approach in analyzing the association between utilization of antenatal care services and explanatory variables

One of the goals of reproductive and child health programme in India is to reduce the infant and maternal morbidity in the society. To achieve these objectives, the RCH service package has been introduced under the programme in all the states of India. This can be achieved by maximizing the utilization of these services. The goal of maximizing the utilization could be achieved by identifying the factors responsible for utilization of services. There have been many studies in the past which finds the association of the RCH service utilization and various factors influencing the utilization, but there are very few studies, which consider the use of multilevel approach of regression. The present study aims at emphasizing the role of hierarchical modeling in analyzing the association between the complete ANC services utilization, one of the components of RCH services package, with the individual level, Community level and District level factor.