Postpartum Breastfeeding Promotion and Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Nepal

BACKGROUND

Encouragement and skills provided to mothers during the postpartum period have been found to be successful in increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates. However, evidence from developing countries is limited. This study aimed to ascertain whether education and skill support provided by health workers during the postpartum period were associated with increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Western Nepal.

METHODS

A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted between January and October 2014, in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Information on breastfeeding promotion provided by health workers after birth was collected from 649 mothers. The association between breastfeeding promotion and exclusive breastfeeding was investigated using multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 649 mothers, 35 percent received all eight types of breastfeeding promotion advice, and 60 percent received six or more such types of advice. Breastfeeding promotion, such as "breastfeeding on demand" (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74 [95% CI 0.59-0.92]) and "not to provide pacifier or teats" (HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.68-0.97]), were significantly associated with a lower risk of exclusive breastfeeding cessation. The dose-response relationship was also significant for the number of advices received (HR 0.94 [95% CI 0.90-0.97]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that breastfeeding education and support immediately after childbirth could increase the duration of breastfeeding. The results suggest further attention to breastfeeding promotion in all maternity hospitals and birthing centers through skilled birth attendants.

Incidence of low birthweight in central Nepal: a community-based prospective cohort study

Many deliveries in low income countries still take place at home and the newborns are often not weighed. This community-based study ascertained the incidence of low birthweight (LBW) and compared the birthweight between home- and facility-born neonates in central Nepal. A total of 701 pregnant women from the Kaski district were recruited and interviewed. Birthweights of newborns were measured by pan balance in health facility settings immediately after birth, or by local community health volunteers using colour-coded spring balance within 48 h of home birth. Household follow up of participants were undertaken less than 45 days after delivery to record the weight of their infants. Of the 639 postpartum women who took part in the follow up interview, information on birthweight was available from 605 singleton births. Among them, 65 (10.7 %) were born at home. Overall, the mean birthweight was 3,059 (SD 464) g and incidence of LBW was 16.5 % (95 % CI 13.5-19.5 %). However, the home-born infants reported significantly lower (p = 0.009) mean birthweight (2,920, SD 435 g) than their facility-born counterparts (3,078, SD 461 g). This difference in birthweight remained significant (p = 0.03) after adjustment for maternal and socio-demographic characteristics. Incidence of LBW in central Nepal was quite high. Home-born babies appeared to have lower birthweight and thus their inclusion could provide an accurate estimate of the LBW rate.

Under-utilization of antenatal care services in Timor-Leste: results from Demographic and Health Survey 2009-2010

Background

Timor-Leste is a young country in the Asia-Pacific region with a high maternal mortality rate of 557 per 100,000 live births. As most maternal deaths can be prevented by providing quality antenatal care (ANC) and skilled assistance during childbirth, understanding the barriers to the utilization of ANC services can enhance program implementation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with the under-utilization of ANC services in Timor-Leste.

Methods

Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2009–2010 was a nationally representative multi-stage cross-sectional study involving 11,463 households and 9,828 childbirths. Information on last born child was recorded for 5,895 mother-child pairs. Factors influencing under-utilization of ANC were assessed using hierarchical logistic regression analysis.

Results

Only 3311 (55.2, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 53.1 to 57.3 %) made the recommended four ANC visits, while 2584 (44.8; 95 % CI 42.7 to 46.9 %) of them reported attending three or less ANC services. Significant factors positively associated with the under-utilization of ANC were low wealth status (odds ratio (OR) 2.09; 95 % CI 1.68 to 2.60), no maternal education (OR 1.54; 95 % CI 1.30 to 1.82) or primary maternal education (OR 1.21; 95 % CI 1.04 to 1.41), no paternal education (OR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.13 to 1.60), and having a big problem in permission to visit health facility (OR 1.65; 95 % CI 1.39 to 1.96).

Conclusions

Despite the apparently good progress made in re-establishing the healthcare infrastructure, 45 % of mothers remained in need of a focused intervention to increase their use of ANC services. Further prenatal care program should pay attention to women with low wealth status and those and their partners who are uneducated. Moreover, women should be encouraged to make decision on their own health.

Prevalence and factors associated with prelacteal feeding in Western Nepal

BACKGROUND

Newborn infants are often given prelacteal feeds in Nepal despite government policies encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

AIM

This study investigated the prevalence, reasons, types and factors associated with prelacteal feeding in the south-western region of Nepal.

METHODS

Information on prelacteal feeding was obtained from 735 recently delivered women who were recruited for a prospective community-based cohort study conducted during 2014 in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Factors associated with prelacteal feeding were assessed using logistic regression analysis.

FINDINGS

A total of 225 (30.6%) mothers reported giving prelacteal feeds to their infants. The most popular prelacteal food was formula milk (41.7%), followed by cow or buffalo milk (26.6%), and sugar/glucose water (12.4%). Caesarean delivery (17.3%), cultural preference (16.4%) and being tired after childbirth (10.6%) were the most commonly cited reasons. Almost half (48%) of the mothers were advised by their mother/mother-in-law on prelacteal feeding method. Higher parity (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-3.54), low birthweight (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.23-3.16), caesarean delivery (OR 3.70; 95% CI 2.37-5.80) and wealthy status (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.52-4.06) were associated with prelacteal feeding.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one-third of the infants in this study were given prelacteal feeds. Future breastfeeding promotion programmes should focus on the mothers with low birthweight infants, of high parity, from a wealthy family and those who had caesarean delivery.

Defining and Developing a Global Public Health Course for Public Health Graduates

Global public health is increasingly being seen as a speciality field within the university education of public health. However, the exact meaning of global public health is still unclear, resulting in varied curricula and teaching units among universities. The contextual differences between high- and low- and middle-income countries, and the process of globalization need to be taken into account while developing any global public health course. Global public health and public health are not separable and global public health often appears as an extension of public health in the era of globalization and interdependence. Though global public health is readily understood as health of global population, it is mainly practiced as health problems and their solutions set within low- and middle-income countries. Additional specialist competencies relevant to the context of low- and middle-income countries are needed to work in this field. Although there can be a long list of competencies relevant to this broad topic, available literature suggests that knowledge and skills related with ethics and vulnerable groups/issues; globalization and its impact on health; disease burden; culture, society, and politics; and management are important.

Non Medical Interventions for Childhood Diarrhoea Control:Way Forward in Nepal

Background Diarrhoeal diseases remain a major cause of mortality of children aged under-five years in the developing countries including Nepal. The transmission of diarrhoea mostly caused by biological agents and is facilitated by the behavioural, social and environmental factors. More recently, the concept of prevention altering these factors is getting momentum. Objective To recommend the most effective non medical intervention that can prevent and control childhood diarrhoeal disease in Nepal. Methods Litrature review was conducted to analyse the successful interventions in developing countries. Peer review articles were accessed from “Science direct”, “Google Scholar”, and “Pubmed”. Interventions focussing on social and environmental determinants of diarrhoea were included. Results Four interventions (with primary focus in social and environmental determinants of diarrhoeal disease) were purposively selected, summarized and discussed. Saniya programme (Burkina Faso 1995 to 1998) is considered successful in modifying the risk behaviours. Intensive hand washing programme (Pakistan 2002 to 2003), a cluster randomized controlled trail, was not sustainable as the results did not last long once the free supply of soap was stopped. School Led Total Sanitation (Nepal 2006) is a participatory, community centred program whose focus is on local ownership. This program approach is effective and feasible for scaling up in Nepal. Global Public Private Partnership for Hand washing with Soap (Ghana 2002) was based on the marketing researches and hence yielded effective results. Conclusion Combination of School Led Total Sanitation and Global Public Private Partnership for hand washing with soap suits Nepal. These interventions focus on creating demand, changing behaviour and thereby, improving the sanitation status. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i3.12517 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2013; 43(3):256-261

Low compliance with iron-folate supplementation among postpartum mothers of Nepal: an analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011

One in five maternal deaths are directly attributable to anaemia in the world. The World Health Organization recommends iron supplementation from the second trimester of pregnancy to 45 days after delivery. The aim of this study was to determine the compliance rate of iron-folate consumption and the factors associated with iron-folate consumption among post-natal mothers in Nepal. This study utilised the data of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011. The NDHS 2011 is a cross sectional and nationally representative survey. Of the 4,148 respondents, only 20.7% consumed iron throughout the post-natal period for 45 days. Mothers who had higher and secondary education [adjusted Odd ratio (aOR) 3.101; 95% CI (2.268-4.240)]; had attended four or more antenatal care visits [aOR 9.406; 95% CI (5.552-15.938)]; lived in Far-western development region [aOR 1.822; 95% CI (1.387-2.395)]; delivered in health facility [aOR 1.335; 95% CI (1.057-1.687)]; and attended postnatal care [aOR 2.348; 95% CI (1.859-2.965)] were more likely to take iron for 45 days of postpartum. Intervention to increase the compliance with the postpartum iron-folate supplementation are required to avoid adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with poor iron status with especial focus on the mothers who delivered at homes and did not attend post-natal check up.

Factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding among Nepalese mothers: further analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2011

Background

Timely initiation of breastfeeding has been reported to reduce neonatal mortality by 19.1%. The World Health Organisation recommends early initiation of breastfeeding i.e. breastfeeding a newborn within the first hour of life. Knowledge on the rate and the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding may help health program managers to design and implement effective breastfeeding promotion programs. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and the determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Nepal.

Methods

This study used the data from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011 which is a nationally representative sample study. Chi square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to examine the factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth).

Results

Of 4079 mothers, 66.4% initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. Mothers with higher education (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.56; 95% CI : 1.26, 5.21), mothers of disadvantaged Janjati ethnicity (OR 1.43; 95% CI : 1.04, 1.94), mothers who were involved in agriculture occupation (OR 1.51; 95% CI : 1.16, 1.97), mothers who delivered in a health facility (OR 1.67; 95% CI : 1.25, 2.23), whose children were large at birth (OR 1.46; 95% CI : 1.07, 1.99) were more likely to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of child birth.

Conclusions

Results suggest that two thirds of children in Nepal were breastfed within the first hour after birth. Although there was a higher prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding among mothers who delivered in health facilities compared to mothers who delivered at home, universal practice of early initiation of breastfeeding should be a routine practice. The findings suggest the need of breastfeeding promotion programs among the mothers who are less educated, and not working. Such breastfeeding promotion programmes could be implemented via Nepal’s extensive network of community-based workers.

The role of obstetric knowledge in utilization of delivery service in Nepal

Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BP/CR) program has been promoted in Nepal to equip pregnant women with obstetric knowledge so as to motivate them to seek professional care. Using a prospective design of 701 pregnant women of more than 5 months gestation in a central hills district of Nepal, we evaluated if having obstetric knowledge could make a difference in maternal delivery behaviour. The results suggested that BP/CR program was effective in raising women's obstetric knowledge, which was significantly associated with facility delivery according to logistic regression analysis. In particular, women who acknowledged that unexpected problems could occur during pregnancy and childbirth were more likely (odds ratio [OR] 5.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.95-11.52) to deliver at a health facility than others unaware of the possible consequences. Similarly, women who knew any antepartum danger sign (OR 2.16, 95% CI: 1.17-3.98), any intrapartum danger sign (OR 3.80, 95% CI: 2.07-6.96) and any postpartum danger sign (OR 3.47 95% CI: 1.93-6.25), tended to deliver at a health facility. Convincing and counselling the pregnant women of the health consequences of pregnancy and childbirth would increase their utilization of delivery service.

A community-based prospective cohort study of exclusive breastfeeding in central Nepal

BACKGROUND

Existing information on breastfeeding in low income countries such as Nepal has been largely derived from cross-sectional demographic health surveys. This study investigated exclusive breastfeeding rates, and compared the duration of exclusive breastfeeding between rural and urban mothers in central Nepal using an alternate cohort methodology.

METHODS

A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 639 recently delivered mothers representative of the Kaski district of Nepal. Breastfeeding information was obtained at birth (n = 639), 4 weeks (n = 639), 12 weeks (n = 615; 96.2%) and 22 weeks (n = 515; 80.6%) through repeated interviews using validated questionnaires. Risk of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding was assessed by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The great majority of women received breastfeeding information (74%) and were encouraged to breastfeed by health personnel or family members (81%). Although nearly all mothers (98%) breastfed up to six months, the reported exclusive breastfeeding rate declined rapidly from 90.9% at birth to 29.7% at 22 weeks. Urban women experienced significantly shorter (p = 0.02) exclusive breastfeeding duration (mean 104.5, 95% CI 95.8 to 113.1 days) and were more likely to cease exclusive breastfeeding (hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.60) than their rural counterparts (mean 144.7, 95% CI 132.3 to 157.1 days). Breastfeeding problem (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.66 to 2.57) and caesarean delivery (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.62) were also significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding cessation.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the almost universal practice of breastfeeding, the reported exclusive breastfeeding rates declined substantially over time. Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months was more common in rural than urban areas of central Nepal. Urban mothers also exclusively breastfed shorter than rural mothers.

Institutionalising of public health

Though public health situation in Nepal is under-developed, the public health education and workforce has not been prioritised. Nepal should institutionalise public health education by means of accrediting public health courses, registration of public health graduates in a data bank and increasing job opportunities for public health graduates in various institutions at government sector.

Infant feeding information, attitudes and practices: a longitudinal survey in central Nepal

Background

Infant feeding is governed by environmental as well as cultural factors. Breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes are known to be associated with breastfeeding duration. This study investigated breastfeeding information, attitudes and supplementary feeding in the central hills district of Nepal.

Methods

A community-based prospective cohort study of 701 pregnant women was conducted. Information on breastfeeding attitudes, feeding practices and supplementary feeding was sought from the cohort at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 22 weeks postpartum through repeated interviews using validated questionnaires.

Results

Average duration of intended breastfeeding was 28 months (SD 7.9) and average target time to introduce solid foods was 6.1 months (SD 1.2). About 80% of women reported their husband, mother/mother-in-law preferred breastfeeding. Eleven percent of the cohort said that breastfeeding was not enjoyable. At 12 weeks and 22 weeks after birth, about a quarter (24.8%) and half (52.8%) of the infants were introduced cow/buffalo milk, respectively, while only 6.3% and 13.4% of them were given infant formula. Overall, any breastfeeding rate remained high at over 98% throughout the follow up period.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding attitudes were encouraging in this population. Breastfeeding was almost universal. Use of infant formula was quite low, whereas cow or buffalo milk appeared to be popular supplementary foods.

Initiation of Breastfeeding and Factors Associated with Prelacteal Feeds in Central Nepal

BACKGROUND

Prelacteal feeds and delayed initiation of breastfeeding may lead to undernutrition of the infant but are still prevalent in many countries.

OBJECTIVE

A prospective cohort community-based study was conducted in central Nepal to ascertain the rate of early breastfeeding initiation and factors associated with the introduction of prelacteal feeds.

METHODS

Breastfeeding information was collected from 639 women who recently gave birth in the Kaski district of central Nepal. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the use of prelacteal feeds.

RESULTS

The incidence of prelacteal feeds was 9.1%, with infant formula being the most common prelacteal food. Approximately 67% and 90% of mothers breastfed within 1 hour and 4 hours of delivery, respectively. Women who reside in urban areas (odds ratio [OR] = 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-5.39), first-time mothers (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.15-4.02), and those who underwent cesarean section (OR = 10.10; 95% CI, 5.47-18.67) were more likely to give prelacteal feeds to their infants.

CONCLUSION

The early initiation of breastfeeding with colostrum as the first feed was common in the study area. The introduction of prelacteal feeds was associated with urban residency, first-time motherhood, and cesarean delivery.

Public health education in South Asia: a basis for structuring a master degree course

Countries in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) lack enough public health workforces to address their poor public health situation. Recently, there have been efforts to develop capacity building in public health in these countries by producing competent public health workforce through public health institutes and schools. Considering the wide nature of public health, the public health education and curricula should be linked with skills, knowledge, and competencies needed for public health practice and professionalism. The 3 domains of public health practice and the 10 essential public health services provide an operational framework to explore this link between public health practice and public health education. This framework incorporates five core areas of public health education. A master degree course in public health can be structured by incorporating these core areas as basic and reinforcing one of these areas as an elective followed by a dissertation work.

Social determinants of poor knowledge on HIV among Nepalese males: findings from national survey 2011

Since the first case detection in Nepal in 1988, the number of cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are increasing. Limited studies exist concerning the knowledge on HIV among the Nepalese men. This study aimed to examine the social determinants of poor knowledge on HIV among Nepalese men aged 15-49 years based on Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 2011. This study is based on the secondary data of NDHS 2011. HIV knowledge was assessed by using structured qustionnaire. A Chi square test followed by logistic regression was performed to find the association of social determinants with outcome variables. Of the 3,991 participants, 1,217 (30.5%) had comprehensive knowledge and the majority (69.5%) had poor knowledge on HIV. More than half (54.6%) reported that mosquito bite can transmit HIV and 26.5% reported that sharing food can transmit HIV. Respondents who were uneducated [aOR 10.782; 95% CI (6.673-17.421)], were manual workers [aOR 1.442; 95% CI (1.152-1.804)], were poor [aOR 1.847; 95% CI (1.350-2.570)]; lived in the the Eastern region [aOR 2.203(1.738-2.793)], or in the Mountain [aOR 1.542; 95% CI (1.132-1.864)]; did not read newspaper/magazine at all [aOR 1.454; 95% CI (1.142-1.851)] and did not listen to the radio at all [aOR 1.354; 95% CI (1.046-1.752)] were likely to have poor knowledge of HIV. HIV prevention programs should include men incorporating appropriate educatoinal intervention to increase their knowledge.

Utilization of maternal and child health services in western rural Nepal: a cross-sectional community-based study

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.

Need factors for utilisation of institutional delivery services in Nepal: an analysis from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2011

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the role of need factors with respect to the utilisation of institutional delivery services in Nepal.

DESIGN

An analytic study was conducted using a subset of 4079 ever married women from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, which utilised two-stage cluster sampling. Logistic regression with complex sample analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of antenatal care visits and birth preparedness activities on facility delivery.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Facility delivery.

RESULTS

Overall facility delivery rate was low at 36.9% (95% CI 33.5% to 40.2%, SE 1.69). Only half (50.1%) of the women made four or more antenatal care visits while 62.9% (95% CI 59.9% to 65.8%, SE 1.51) did not indicate any of the four birth preparation activities. After adjusting for external, predisposing and enabling factors, women who made more than four antenatal care visits were five times more likely to deliver at a health facility when compared to those who paid no visit (adjusted OR 4.94, 95% CI 3.14 to 7.76). Similarly, the likelihood for facility delivery increased by 3.4-fold among women who prepared for at least two of the four activities compared to their counterparts who made no preparation (adjusted OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.01 to 5.58).

CONCLUSIONS

The perceived need, as expressed by the frequency of antenatal care visits and birth preparedness activities, plays an important role in institutional delivery service utilisation for Nepali women. These findings have implications for behavioural interventions to change their intention to deliver at a health facility.

Poor thermal care practices among home births in Nepal: further analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011

Introduction

Hypothermia is a major factor associated with neonatal mortality in low and middle income countries. Thermal care protection of newborn through a series of measures taken at birth and during the initial days of life is recommended to reduce the hypothermia and associated neonatal mortality. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of and the factors associated with receiving ‘optimum thermal care’ among home born newborns of Nepal.

Methods

Data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) 2011 were used for this study. Women who reported a home birth for their most recent childbirth was included in the study. Factors associated with optimum thermal care were examined using Chi-square test followed by logistic regression.

Results

A total of 2464 newborns were included in the study. A total of 57.6 % were dried before the placenta was delivered; 60.3% were wrapped; 24.5% had not bathing during the first 24 hours, and 63.9% were breastfed within one hour of birth. Overall, only 248 (10.7%; 95% CI (8.8 %, 12.9%)) newborns received optimum thermal care. Newborns whose mothers had achieved higher education (OR 2.810; 95% CI (1.132, 6.976)), attended four or more antenatal care visits (OR 2.563; 95% CI (1.309, 5.017)), and those whose birth were attended by skilled attendants (OR 2.178; 95% CI (1.428, 3.323)) were likely to receive optimum thermal care.

Conclusion

The current study showed that only one in ten newborns in Nepal received optimum thermal care. Future newborn survival programs should focus on those mothers who are uneducated; who do not attend the recommended four or more attend antenatal care visits; and those who deliver without the assistance of skilled birth attendants to reduce the risk of neonatal hypothermia in Nepal.

Factors associated with the utilisation of postnatal care services among the mothers of Nepal: analysis of Nepal demographic and health survey 2011

Background

Postnatal care is essential to save the life of the mother and newborn. Knowledge on the determinants of postnatal care assists the policy makers to design, justify and implement appropriate interventions. The current study aimed to analyse the factors associated with utilisation of postnatal care services by mothers in Nepal based on the data from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011.

Methods

This study utilised the data from NDHS 2011. The association between utilisation of at least one postnatal care visit (within 6 weeks of delivery) and immediate postnatal care (within 24 hours of delivery) with selected factors was examined by using Chi-square test (χ²), followed by multiple logistic regression.

Result

Of the 4079 mothers, 43.2% reported attending postnatal care within the first six weeks of birth, while 40.9% reported attending immediate postnatal care. Mothers who were from urban areas, from rich families, who were educated, whose partners were educated, who delivered in a health facility, who had attended a four or more antenatal visits, and whose delivery was attended by a skilled attendant were more likely to report attending at least one postnatal care visit. On the other hand, mothers who reported agricultural occupation, and whose partners performed agricultural occupation were less likely to have attended at least one postnatal care visit. Similarly, mothers who were from the urban areas, from rich families, who were educated, whose partners were educated, who had attended four or more antenatal visits, who delivered in a health facility and had delivered in the presence of a skilled birth attendant were more likely to report attending immediate postnatal care. Mothers who reported agricultural occupation, and whose partners performed agricultural occupation were less likely to attend immediate postnatal care.

Conclusion

The majority of postnatal mothers in Nepal did not seek postnatal care. Increasing utilisation of the recommended four or more antenatal visits, delivery at health facility and increasing awareness and access to services through community-based programs especially for the rural, poor, and less educated mothers may increase postnatal care attendance in Nepal.

Women's perception of quality of maternity services: a longitudinal survey in Nepal

Background

In the context of maternity service, the mother’s assessment of quality is central because emotional, cultural and respectful supports are vital during labour and the delivery process. This study compared client-perceived quality of maternity services between birth centres, public and private hospitals in a central hills district of Nepal.

Methods

A cohort of 701 pregnant women of 5 months or more gestational age were recruited and interviewed, followed by another interview within 45 days of delivery. Perception of quality was measured by a 20-item scale with three sub-scales: health facility, health care delivery, and interpersonal aspects. Perceived quality scores were analysed by ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons and multiple linear regression.

Results

Within the health facility sub-scale, birth centre was rated lowest on items ‘adequacy of medical equipment’, ‘health staff suited to women’s health’ and ‘adequacy of health staff’, whereas public hospital was rated the lowest with respect to ‘adequacy of room’, ‘adequacy of water’, ‘environment clean’, ‘privacy’ and ‘adequacy of information’. Mean scores of total quality and sub-scales health facility and health care delivery for women attending private hospital were higher (p < 0.001) than those using birth centre or public hospital. Mean score of the sub-scale interpersonal aspects for public hospital users was lower (p < 0.001) than those delivered at private hospital and birth centre. However, perception on interpersonal aspects by women using public hospital improved significantly after delivery (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Overall, perception of quality differed significantly by types of health facility used for delivery. They rated lowest the supplies and equipment in birth centres and the amenities and interpersonal aspects in the public hospital. Accordingly, attention to these aspects is needed to improve the quality.

Factors associated with small size at birth in Nepal: further analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011

Background

The global Low Birth Weight (LBW) rate is reported to be 15.5% with more than 95% of these LBW infants being from developing countries. LBW is a major factor associated with neonatal deaths in developing countries. The determinants of low birth weight in Nepal have rarely been studied. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with small size at birth among under-five children.

Methods

Data from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were used. The association between small size at birth and explanatory variables were analysed using Chi-square tests (χ²) followed by logistic regression. Complex Sample Analysis was used to adjust for study design and sampling.

Results

A total of 5240 mother- singleton under five child pairs were included in the analysis, of which 936 (16.0%) children were reported as small size at birth. Of 1922 infants whose birth weight was recorded, 235 (11.5%) infants had low birth weight (<2500 grams). The mean birth weight was 3030 grams (standard deviation: 648.249 grams).

The mothers who had no antenatal visits were more likely (odds ratio (OR) 1.315; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.042-1.661)) to have small size infants than those who had attended four or more antenatal visits. Mothers who lived in the Far-western development region were more likely to have (OR 1.698; 95% CI (1.228-2.349)) small size infants as compared to mothers from the Eastern development region. Female infants were more likely (OR 1.530; 95% CI (1.245-1.880)) to be at risk of being small than males.

Conclusion

One in every six infants was reported to be small at birth. Attendance of antenatal care programs appeared to have a significant impact on birth size. Adequate antenatal care visits combined with counselling and nutritional supplementation should be a focus to reduce adverse birth outcomes such as small size at birth, especially in the geographically and economically disadvantaged areas such as Far-western region of Nepal.

Obstetric complications and cesarean delivery in Nepal

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of obstetric complications, the stillbirth rate, and the factors associated with cesarean delivery in central Nepal.

METHODS

A community-based prospective cohort study was undertaken in the Kaski district during 2011-2012. In total, 701 women who were at least 5 months pregnant were recruited and interviewed. Participants were followed-up and interviewed again within 45 days after delivery.

RESULTS

Of the 658 women who remained in the cohort after 43 were lost to follow-up, 12 (1.8%) had stillbirths. Cesareans accounted for 13.3% of the total deliveries. Age, urban residency, college-level education, and particularly presence of intrapartum symptoms significantly increased the likelihood of cesarean delivery. Prepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum symptoms were reported by 21.1%, 24.4%, and 10.2% of women, respectively. Common danger signs included prolonged labor, severe abdominal pain, swollen hand and body, and heavy bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Obstetric complications and stillbirth rates were relatively high in central Nepal. Cesarean delivery appeared to meet obstetric need and was performed with medical indication, particularly after the onset of labor.

Bypassing birth centres for childbirth: an analysis of data from a community-based prospective cohort study in Nepal

BACKGROUND

In Nepal, women residing in rural areas tend to bypass local birth centres and deliver at urban hospitals, despite the availability of obstetric care in these centres. This study investigated the incidence of bypassing, characteristics of bypassers and their reasons for bypassing the birth centres.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was undertaken in the Kaski district of central Nepal. The 353 pregnant women of 5 months or more gestation recruited from the community had access to local birth centres. They were interviewed at baseline using a structured questionnaire, and were followed up within 45 days post-partum. Comparisons were made between women who delivered at birth centres and those who gave birth at hospital. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the risk of bypassing.

RESULTS

Of the final sample of 258 participants who delivered in a health facility, 181 women (70.2%) bypassed their nearest birth centres to deliver at hospitals. Bypassers tended to be wealthy and have intrapartum complications, but the likelihood of bypassing apparently decreased by higher parity and frequent (four or more) antenatal care visits. Availability of operating facility, adequacy of medical supplies and equipment and competent health staff at the facility were the main reasons for their bypassing decision.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of bypassing for childbirth was high in central Nepal. Provision of quality and reliable emergency obstetric services together with well trained and competent staff at birth centres are recommended to reduce bypassing and pressure on the public hospital system.

Determinants of facility delivery after implementation of safer mother programme in Nepal: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

There are several barriers for pregnant women to deliver in a health care facility. This prospective cohort study investigated factors affecting facility delivery and reasons for unplanned place of delivery after implementation of the safer mother programme in Nepal.

METHODS

Baseline interviews using a validated questionnaire were conducted on a sample of 700 pregnant women representative of the Kaski district in central Nepal. Follow-up interviews of the cohort were then conducted within 45 days postpartum. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the facility delivery outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 644 pregnant women whose delivery location had been identified, 547 (85%) gave birth in a health care facility. Women were more likely to deliver in a health facility if they were educated especially with higher secondary or above qualification (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 12.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.09 to 30.17), attended 4 or more antenatal care visits (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.69), and lived within 30 minutes to the facility (OR 11.61, 95% CI 5.77 to 24.04). For the 97 women who delivered at home, 72 (74.2%) were unplanned, mainly due to quick precipitation of labour making it impossible to reach a health facility.

CONCLUSIONS

It appeared that facility delivery occurs more frequent among educated women and those who live nearby, even though maternity services are now freely available in Nepal. Because of the difficult terrain and transportation problem in rural areas, interventions that make maternity service physically accessible during antenatal period are needed to increase the utilisation of health facility for child birth.