This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted to determine the reasons for utilization and non-utilization of maternal and child health services to include pre-natal, delivery, post-natal, immunization and medical consultation for children below five years old in Barangay BusBus and San Raymundo of Jolo and Barangay Kajatian of Indanan, Sulu. Three hundred sixty (360) respondents who were selected through multi stage sampling were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Interview with the health personnel from each of the barangay health center was also done. Results showed that majority of the respondents’ utilized pre natal (64.44%) and immunization services for children (85.28%) while few of them utilized delivery (13.06%), post-natal (23.16%) and medical consultation (33.16%). Results from survey among mothers and viewpoints of health workers showed almost the same reasons for utilization and non-utilization of pre natal, delivery, post natal, immunization and medical consultation of children. Majority of the reasons for utilization among mothers were for consultation, necessity for good health, for better management during childbirth, for appropriate management of childhood illnesses, for protection of the children against childhood diseases and lower cost compared to other health facilities. For non-utilization of health services, majority of reasons were lack of awareness, lack of time, fear of side reactions of vaccine, lack of perceived need for maternal care, attachment to existing traditional practices and the peace and order situation of the place.

Keyword: Perinatal Care