The present study was conducted in eight districts in
northern Karnataka, a southern Indian state that has an
overall estimated MMR of 178 per 100,000 live-births [3].
This was done as part of a baseline assessment for a program
to provide technical support to the government of
Karnataka for improving maternal, neonatal and child health
(MNCH) outcomes in this relatively under-developed region.
There are large regional disparities in health infrastructure
and service delivery between southern and northern
Karnataka districts [17].