Knowledge and Utilization of Safe Motherhood Services in Nepal: A Case Study of Tharu Community in Khairahani VDC of Chitwan District

Abstract

The study is based on primary data, collected from Tharu community in Chitwan district in 2008 which includes 110 reproductive age (15-49 Years) women as asample size. The study was carried out up on the Tharu women of Surtana Village of Khairahani VDC-5, to determine the level of knowledge and utilization of safe motherhood services. The main objective of this study was to examine the utilization of prenatal care,postnatal care and care during delivery and also to fine out the level of knowledge,perception and availability and accessibility of safe motherhood services. Themain determinant variables for this research are antenatal check up TTVaccination, receiving Iron and Vitamin A, Delivery Assistant place of delivery,Use of delivery Kit, Postnatal Check Up and Time to reach health services. The studies include 660 populations from 110 household which consists 331(48.64%) female and 339 (51.36%) male. The sex ratio was 105.61. The literacyrate of study population was 51.81 percent for female and 77.27 percent for male. According to study 70.91 percent respondent received antenatal services. Higherpercentages (51.28%) of respondent were received from health post. In this study 51.97 percent literate respondent were received antenatal cares. In the study 66.36 percent respondent received TT Vaccination, 62.72 percent received Iron Tablets,28.18 percent received Vitamin A and 13.64 percent received Calcium. In the study 47.27 percent respondents were delivered at home. Only 54.55 percent respondents were used of delivery kits and 42.73 percent respondents were used sterilized blade to cut their new born baby's cord and 34.54 percent received postnatal care services. This study found a strong positive relationship between education and knowledge,utilization and maternal health care services. There was significant relationship between receiving Iron Tablets, TT Vaccination, Vitamin A and Age at marriage,level of education and their husband.