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Infant death rates and animal-shed delivery in remote rural areas of Nepal

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  • Thapa, Narbada
  • Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi
  • Geater, Alan F.
  • Ulstein, Magnar
  • Bechtel, Gregory A.

Abstract

This article outlines a community-based retrospective study in a remote area of Nepal and describes local birth practices and their impact on infant mortality. Data collection was carried out in two steps, a household survey from September to October 1996 and a qualitative research phase. Data collected include socio-economic background, reproductive history, birth practices and child survival. Among 3007 live-born children, 660 (22%) died before their first birthday. In keeping with local customs, approximately half of the children were delivered in an animal shed and the other half in the home. Children born in an animal shed were at significantly higher risk of dying than were those born in the home even after adjusting for socio-economic status and biological variables. The association was stronger in the neonatal period (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.9-4.1) than during the post-neonatal period (OR=1.3, 95% CI 1.02-1.6). The preparation of the delivery place was inadequate and thereby facilitated infection of both the newborn and the mother. Traditional norms and animal-shed delivery practices are common in the Jumla community. The reasons addressed for giving birth in the animal shed included (1) Household Deity's anger if delivery takes place in the home and (2) easy to clean the shed following the birth.

Suggested Citation

  • Thapa, Narbada & Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi & Geater, Alan F. & Ulstein, Magnar & Bechtel, Gregory A., 2000. "Infant death rates and animal-shed delivery in remote rural areas of Nepal," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(10), pages 1447-1456, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:51:y:2000:i:10:p:1447-1456
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Boris A. Portnov & Madhav Adhikari & Moshe Schwartz, 2007. "Urban Growth in Nepal: Does Location Matter?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(5-6), pages 915-937, May.
    2. Bird, Kate & Shepherd, Andrew, 2003. "Livelihoods and Chronic Poverty in Semi-Arid Zimbabwe," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 591-610, March.
    3. Brunson, Jan, 2010. "Confronting maternal mortality, controlling birth in Nepal: The gendered politics of receiving biomedical care at birth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(10), pages 1719-1727, November.

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