Knowledge and Utilization of Safe Motherhood Services in Dhadhawar VDC, Bardiya

Abstract

This is a field- based study to find out the “Knowledge and Utilization of SafeMotherhood Services in Dhadhawar-6 of Bardiya District”. This study is mainly basedon primary data with perception of lactating women who have one-year child. The whole information was based on the 40 respondents of the study area. The samplesize was determined through disproportionate stratified sampling method. Therespondents were interviewed through structured and semi structured interviewschedule. The collected data were carefully checked, tabulated and analyzed. The results of this study showed that 58 percent of the respondent’s were identifiedfamiliar with the safe motherhood services. It is also observe that 88 percent ofrespondents had health services available in the studyarea, locally. Furthermore, 73percent of them had received antenatal care. Most of the respondents have received TTvaccine and only 55 percent of them have received iron tablets. Likewise, 75 percenttook vitamin A capsule during postnatal period. In addition, 45 percent of the deliveriestook place at home. 10 percent took place at hospitals, 20 percent at health posts, 10percent at private clinics and 15 percent at other places. Out of the total deliveries,friends assisted to 25 percent and family members assisted 40 percent of the deliveries.Regarding postnatal care, only 35 percent of the respondents reported to have receivedpostnatal care. Only 35 percent faced problems after delivery. Among them, themaximum of 43 percent reported the problem ofexcessive bleeding. It is concluded that the most of the respondents that the respondents had knowledgeabout safe motherhood. The media, especially the broadcast media, have played apivotal role in giving them the knowledge. Most of the deliveries in this community take place at home with the assistance of friends and neighbors, family members or untrained birth attendants though they have health facilities. During the period of pregnancy, use of safe and hygienic delivery tools and the use of clean delivery kit are not satisfactorily.