Health seeking behavior during pregnancy and delivery in Morang District of Nepal

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Importance of maternal health has been recognized over the last decade, however information about the perception of illness and health care behavior of obstetric complication is lacking. So, this study was conducted to find out the prevalence of taking care during pregnancy and delivery, and to find out the association between sociodemographic characteristics and taking care during pregnancy and delivery. Material and Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted among the residents of Rangeli VDC of Morang District in Eastern Nepal where 300 households were taken as subjects. Semi-structured questionnaire was used and face to face interview was conducted. Chi-square test was applied to find out the association between sociodemographic characteristics and taking care during pregnancy and delivery. Results: Almost forty percent of pregnant women have taken care during pregnancy and delivery i.e. delivery conducted in Health Care Center (HCC). Only 21.8% of women were applied antiseptics after cutting cord and sixty three percent of women have fed colostrums to their babies. All of the women with Brahmin/ Chhetri have conducted delivery in Health Care Center. The women with SLC and higher education have conducted delivery at HCC more (91.1%) than below SLC (51%) and illiterate (12.5%). The women with service have conducted delivery at HCC more than other occupational groups. Conclusion: The problem of taking care during pregnancy and delivery is common and has become a key public health concern for all. Lack of education and poor occupation of wife and husband led some of the respondents not taking care during pregnancy and delivery.