Study on the Effects of Urbanization on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Child Care: Based on a Survey on Mothers in Rural Areas in the Suburbs of the Capital of Nepal / 国際保健医療

ABSTRACT

<b>Objectives</b><br> The present study aimed to elucidate issues in maternal and child health in suburban areas by comparing the effects of increases in population, economic power, and amount of information on health behaviors among mothers such as pregnancy, childbirth, and child care in village A in the suburbs of Kathmandu between 2001 and 2006.<br><b>Methods</b><br> We conducted an interview survey on mothers of children aged 0-12month in village one in Lalitpur district in Nepal. Data from 2001 and 2006 were compared for the educated group, non-educated group, and all subjects.<br><b>Results</b><br> The number of mothers in ethnic minorities increased in 2006. The most commonly used facility for pregnancy examinations, delivery, and child illnesses was hospitals, and their use tended to increase from 2001 to 2006 for each type of visit. In addition, the cost of pregnancy examination and delivery increased approximately 7-and 2-fold, respectively. Kaup index increased by one point for the condition of child development. Prevalence of general infections among children decreased.<br><b>Conclusion</b><br> Subjects were polarized into the middle class, which included individuals who had increased income by working as migrants abroad, and an economically disadvantaged group which included individuals who had migrated from rural areas. The active use of health services at hospitals among pregnant women and children was attributed to recognition of the safety and comfort of hospitals as well as the consumer culture resulting from growth of the middle class. The economically disadvantaged group was considered to be at high risk with regard to maternal and child health, and was thus thought to require affordable and accessible support. Issues in child care appeared to be shifting from “nutritional improvement” and “infection control” to “nutritional balance”.