Maternal Health Care Practices and Educational Status of Danuwar Women

Abstract

The study on "Maternal Health Care Practices and Educational Status of Danuwari Women" was carried out by collecting primary data from the study area especially of Danuwar community at Katari VDC, Udayapur. The study deals with socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the married women of reproductive age (15-49 years). The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between maternal health care practices and educational status of Danuwar women of the study population. Education has been found to influence reproductive behaviour, the use of contraceptives, the health of mothers and hygienic habits. In order to give an insights on the Danuwari population, the sex ratio was found 97.3, currently married women 58.9 percent, widow 4.8 percent. The majority of women had got married in the interval of age group 15-19. Mean CEB for the women of the study population is 3.1. Nearly 25 percent women were illiterate. The major occupation of this community is agriculture (65.4%) followed by daily wages labour (23.9%). About 13 percent people are landless in the study area. In regarding physical facility Danuwari people had got electricity by 49.5 percent, piped water by 23.3 percent, tubel by 44.2 percent and latrin facility by 13.2 percent only. Maternal health care is very important in reducing morbidity and mortality. Seventy nine percent of mothers received antenatal care from skilled birth attendents. In addition, 24.7 percent of women received no antenatal care in health facility. Nearly 5 percent of mothers received antenatal care from doctors, 28.3 percent of mothers received ANC from Nurse/midwife and 34.5 percent received ANC from HA, AHW/MCHW where as 7.8 percent women received ANC from TBAs. Nearly 80 percent women received TT vaccine during their pregnancy whereas only 71.6 percent women received iron tablet. Nearly 61 percent women received vitamin A. About 5 percent respondents had habit of both smoking and alcohol. Twenty six percent respondent faced complication during pregnancy in the study area. Study shows that only 7 percent pregnancies were delivered by health professionals. Twenty five percent births are delivered without any assistance at all. About 93 percent pregnancies are delivered at home. Nearly 44 percent women used safe delivery kit during delivery. The postnatal care is uncommon in Nepal. About only 16 percent women received postnatal check up. The majority of the couples (almost 90%) women approved for family planning in the study area. Out of contraceptive users 63.6 percent women used depo-provera followed by 16.4 percent used condom. Twelve percent women think that there is no way to avoid HIV/AIDS. About 35 percent respondents think that AIDS can be avoided by using condoms. Nearly 20 percent by limiting sexual partner, 17.7 percent respondents think by avoiding sex with prostitutes.