Analysis of the Perinatal Care System in a Remote and Mountainous District of Nepal
Title
Analysis of the Perinatal Care System in a Remote and Mountainous District of Nepal
Creator
James Wylie Thomas
David Phillip Levy
Ang Jangmu Sherpa
Lakpa Lama
Allison Judkins
Amber A Chambers
Hillary Crandall
Sarah Schoenhals
Kirk B Bjella
Jordan H Vaughan
Peter H Grubb
Bernhard Fassl
Date
2022
Description
Introduction: Despite significant improvements in recent years, maternal and neonatal health outcomes remain poor in many regions of the world. One such area is in the remote mountainous regions of Nepal. The purpose of this study is to describe the current antenatal care practices and delivery support in a mountainous district of Nepal.
Methods: This study took place in Solukhumbu District between December 2015 and February 2018. A household survey was created using evidence-based maternal and neonatal care indicators. Women who had delivered within the previous two years were surveyed regarding antenatal and delivery care they received. A standardized health facility survey was used to evaluate the operational status of health facilities. The study was approved by the Nepal Ministry of Health and the University of Utah IRB.
Results: A total of 487 households and 19 facilities were surveyed. 35.7% (174/487) of deliveries occurred in a health facility (hospital, primary health care center or birthing center). 35.2% (171/486) of deliveries were attended by a skilled birth attendant. 52.8% (47/89) of women who did not deliver in a facility noted that transportation issues and not having sufficient time to travel during labor prevented them from delivering in a facility. No health posts had staff trained in obstetric and neonatal emergencies.
Discussion: The majority of women in Solukhumbu District do not receive high quality antenatal and delivery care. An intervention that would make antenatal care and delivery support more accessible could improve maternal and infant outcomes in this district and other similar regions.
Methods: This study took place in Solukhumbu District between December 2015 and February 2018. A household survey was created using evidence-based maternal and neonatal care indicators. Women who had delivered within the previous two years were surveyed regarding antenatal and delivery care they received. A standardized health facility survey was used to evaluate the operational status of health facilities. The study was approved by the Nepal Ministry of Health and the University of Utah IRB.
Results: A total of 487 households and 19 facilities were surveyed. 35.7% (174/487) of deliveries occurred in a health facility (hospital, primary health care center or birthing center). 35.2% (171/486) of deliveries were attended by a skilled birth attendant. 52.8% (47/89) of women who did not deliver in a facility noted that transportation issues and not having sufficient time to travel during labor prevented them from delivering in a facility. No health posts had staff trained in obstetric and neonatal emergencies.
Discussion: The majority of women in Solukhumbu District do not receive high quality antenatal and delivery care. An intervention that would make antenatal care and delivery support more accessible could improve maternal and infant outcomes in this district and other similar regions.
Source
Matern Child Health J
. 2022 Oct;26(10):1976-1982. doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03479-2. Epub 2022 Aug 24.
. 2022 Oct;26(10):1976-1982. doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03479-2. Epub 2022 Aug 24.
Language
English
URL
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03479-2
Citation
James Wylie Thomas et al., “Analysis of the Perinatal Care System in a Remote and Mountainous District of Nepal,” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed May 2, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/12113.