Maternity care and nutrition in a rural area of bangladesh: a household surgery

ABSTRACT

Determine knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers about maternity care and nutrition during pregnancy and lactation and knowledge and practice of traditional birth attendants about obstetric care. Research Design and Cross-sectional household survey. All households in which there was a child 12 months of age or below in three villages were included. Seventy-six mothers and twelve traditional birth attendants were interviewed using standard questionnaires. Setting: Palongkhali Union, a rural area in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh. The majority of mothers [92.1%] did not visit a health worker during their last pregnancy. Mothers had false beliefs about food, such as fish and eggs during pregnancy and lactation. Although traditional birth attendants attended the majority of deliveries [77.6%], their knowledge and training about maternity care were inadequate. Mothers of Palongkhali Union had poor knowledge and false beliefs about food and nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. Health care and services for pregnant mothers were inadequate. Knowledge and attitudes of traditional birth attendants about maternity care were poor. Improvement of maternal and child health services and appropriate training of traditional birth attendants are needed