Prenatal Care in Nepal

By: Chelsea Grzenia

Findings

Topic
Prenatal Care is a rising concern in
Nepal due to their high maternal and
infant mortality.
Background/Significance
Infant mortality in Nepal is 43/1000 births
(2012)
Maternal mortality is 281/100,000 births
(2012)
Maternal and infant mortality is significant to
a countries development status. Theses rates
can be decreased through prenatal care.
Nepals Health Sector Strategy Plan has set a
goal to reduce maternal mortality by 75% by
2015 (Baral, Lyons, Skinner & Teijlingen, 2012).
The significance of prenatal care is to assure
better health to the pregnant women and the
health of the baby.
Millennium Development Goal #5- Improve
maternal health with their focus area being
Methods
delaying childbearing,
increase access to
skilled
care
during
and
after
pregnancy
along
Information was gathered through articles
with
safe,
afordable,
efective
methods
of
focusing on Prenatal care in Nepal.
contraception
are
essential
in
improving
Interviewing Nepal nursing students,
maternal
health
(Shrestha R., Singh B., Singh R., Shrestha S. &
physicians and nurses.
Bhandari, 2013).

World Health Organization

Observing Nepal hospitals and clinics both
in Urban and Rural areas.

Picture on
the left is
taken at
Kathmandu
University
Hospital. The
picture is of a
delivery
ward.

Prenatal education is taught to women though

TV, radio, and newspaper. Incentives are
provided to women who deliver in a hospital
or clinic. Such as, 1000-2000 rupees and baby
supplies.
In 2006, 29% of women had 4 prenatal visits
during their pregnancy. Nepal is hoping to
increase this number to 80% by 2017 (Baral, Lyons,
Skinner & Teijlingen, 2012).

Prenatal services: Free HIV testing for all

pregnant women, vaccinations such as
Tetanus, Folic Acid supplements, Calcium
Urban
supplements, Iron Supplements, and
Urban areas such
Ultrasounds.

Kathamandu &
Dhulikhel have more
resources available
to pregnant women.
In 2012, Dhulikhel
hospital managed
2,707deliveries by
skilled birth
attendants. In Urban
areas they are
skilled to perform CSections and high
risk pregnancies.
51% of urban births
were assisted by a
Rural
skilled
nursing
assistant (Baral, Lyons,
Rural
focus
more on postnatal care rather than
Skinner areas
& Teijlingen,
2012).
prenatal. Rural areas such as Lukla, Namche and
Khunde ofer free HIV testing, ultrasounds, and iron
supplements but no other supplements or
vaccinations. Rural areas average 3-5 deliveries a
month. 14% of rural births were assisted by skilled
nursing assistants
(Baral, Lyons, Skinner & Teijlingen, 2012).
Comparison to US

Prenatal interventions are very similar to the

U.S. Prenatal supplements such as folic acid
and Iron are both recommended during
pregnancy. However, In the U.S the resources
are easily available. Rural areas of Nepal do
not have the prenatal resources and have
poor transportation methods that make it
difficult for women to receive the care.

Recommendations
Expand resources
to Rural areas of
Nepal.
Encourage women
to receive at least
4 prenatal check
ups during
pregnancy.
Educate women
and the
community on
benefits and the
important of
prenatal care.
Increase
Poster is displaying a well
balanced diet for expecting
awareness of the
Mothers, an encouraging a
incentives
healthy diet.
provided by
hospital births.
Increase womens
socio-economicReferences
status
in
society
Baral, Y., Lyons, K., Skinner, J., & Teijlingen, E. (2012). Maternal health services utilization
inand
Nepal: Progress
in the new millennium,. Health Science Journal, 6(4), 618-629.
between
Retrieved from www.hsj.gr
casts.
Shrestha, R.K.M., Singh, B., Singh, R., Pun, K.D., Shrestha, S., & Bhandari, N. (2013).
Nursing Bulletin 2070/2013. Dhulikhel, New Dhulikhel Printing Press.

World Health Organization. (2012). Countdown to 2015:building a future for women and
children. [Data File].
Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/gho/countries/npl/country_profiles/en/index.html

Data from the World Health Organization (2012), showing

the percentage of women aged 15-49 years old that
attended at least one check up by a skilled health provider.