Knowledge and Practice of Safe Motherhood in Dalit Community (A Case Study of Chidika Vdc, Arghakhanchi District)

Abstract

This study on Knowledge and Practices of Safe Motherhood in Dalit Community: A Case Study of Chidika VDC, Arghakhanchi District was carried out by using the primary data collection in field survey. The main objective of this study was to examine the knowledge of safe motherhood, socio-economic condition and practices of safe motherhood services including antenatal care, delivery care and postnatal care in Dalit community. The field survey covered all wards of Chidika VDC of Arghakhanchi district and 120 married women aged 15-49 years were selected under the purposive sampling that had at least one child less than 3 years of age during the survey time. In the study, the relationship between two or more variables has been examined through cross tabulation. The main variables for this research are antenatal care, delivery care, place of delivery, use of delivery kits and postnatal check up. According to the study 70 percent respondents have received ANC services. Higher percentages (50 percent) of respondents were suggested to receive ANC by MCH/VHW. In the study, 84 percent literate respondents were received ANC services. In the study, 51 percent respondents were delivered at home and about 35 percent respondents received postnatal care services. There was relationship between receiving iron tablets, TT vaccine, vitamin A and age at marriage, level of education of respondents and their husband. This study found a relationship between education and practice of safe motherhood services.