Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in Western Rural Nepal: A Cross-sectional Community-based Study.
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Date
2014-01
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Abstract
Background: Considering the commitment and investment of Nepal to reduce maternal and child mortality,
understanding service utilization and factors associated with a child and maternal health services is important.
Objectives: This study was examined the factors associated with utilization of maternal and child health services in
Kapilvastu District of Nepal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 by interviewing
190 mothers having children of aged 12-23 months using the standardized questionnaire. Results: Immunization
status (97.4%) and vitamin A supplementation (98.4%) was high. However, initiation of breastfeeding within an hour
of birth was low (45.3%) and 63.2% had practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Majority (69.5%) of respondents delivered
their child at home and 39.5% sought assistance from health workers. The mothers who did not have any education,
mothers from Dalit/Janjati and the Terai origin were less likely to deliver at the health facility and to seek the assistance
of health workers during childbirth. Conclusion: The immunization program coverage was high, whereas maternal
health service utilization remained poor. Interventions that focus on mothers from Dalit/Janjati group and with lower
education are likely to increase utilization of maternal health services.
Description
Keywords
Antenatal care, Breastfeeding, Cross sectional survey, Delivery services, Immunization, Vitamin A
Citation
Khanal Vishnu, Bhandari Ramjee, Adhikari Mandira, Karkee Rajendra, Joshi Chandni. Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in Western Rural Nepal: A Cross-sectional Community-based Study. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2014 Jan-Mar; 58(1): 27-33.