Maternity Care Practice: A Comparative Study amongDalit and Non-dalit Women Aged 15-49 Years (A Case Study of Hetauda Municipality Ward No. 11)

Abstract

This study has been organized to find out the level of maternity care practices among ever married dalit and non dalit women of reproductive age group (15-49).Only selected components of maternity care have been taken into account because of interest and limitations. This is comparative study examining the differences of maternity care practices between dalit and non dalit women. The study is based on the primary data obtained from 100 respondents, 50 from each dalits and non dalits. Over all median age group of the respondents for both castes is 32 years.Hindu is the major religion for both castes. Nuclear family percentage is higher innon-dalit community as compared to dalits. Non-dalit respondents are more litratethen dalits. Agricultural is the major occupation for non-dalit where as dalits are engaged more in daily wages. Non-dalit respondents had got sufficient food compared to dalits. More than 50 percent non-dalit respondents have concrete house where as most of the dalit respondents have bamboo joint houses. Open toilet is the main toiletfacility for both castes. Comparatively non-dalit respondents have more electric facilities like electricity supply, radio and television. Kerosene and fire wood is themain source of fuel for non-dalit respondents and only fire wood is the main source offuel for dalit respondents. Early marriage is more pronounced in dalits as compared to non-dalits. Higherpercentage of mothers had given three birth in both castes. Knowledge of maternity care is more pronounced in non-dalit community than dalits. Radio is the most common source of information for both non-dalit and dalit respondents. Nearly three fourth of the total respondents from both castes have knowledge about TT and irontablets. Less than 50 percent respondents for both castes have the knowledge about Anemia. Comparatively non-dalit respondents have visited ANC more times than dalits. Younger and more educated respondents of both castes have knowledge about safe delivery kits and prefere to deliver in hospitals. Sixty percent non-dalit women delivered in hospital as compared to dalit (30.0%). At the time of child birth, excessive bleeding and after child birth rational placenta (prolapse) is the main problem for both castes. Over 80 percent mother received PNC service in both the castes.Comparatively more non-dalit mothers reported that they have provided immunization services for their children at the period of PNC. In both the castes younger mothers are more likely to visit ANC than orders. The proportion ofreceiving PNC services is higher in educated respondents of both castes. The study deals with the variation among both castes respondents in terms ofage and education. From the study, it is observed that the level of knowledge and practice of maternity care among non dalit respondent is quite satisfactory as compared to dalit respondent. Maternity care services is affordable for both castes but due to lack of awareness and poor socio-economic condition dalit respondents are far way from it. Comparatively postnatal Visit is lower in both castes as compared to Antenatal visit. Key words-Maternity care, respondents, antenatal care, delivery care,postnatal care.