INFLUENCE OF HUSBAND DOMESTIC SUPPORT ON MATERNAL MORBIDITY IN RURAL NEPAL

This study aimed to determine the associations between socio-demographic factors, maternal health knowledge and husband domestic support and last pregnancy problems among reproductive age women (aged 15-49 years) in Bahuni, Morang, Nepal. Data were collected during February and March 2010 from 144 women who had at least one child <5 years old. The women completed a questionnaire designed to elicit socio-demographic status, maternal health care knowledge and recent delivery experience. The results were used to construct two indices, the first encapsulating the woman's knowledge of maternal health care and the second summarizing problems experienced during and after her last pregnancy; these indices were found to be negatively associated. The method used in this study may be applied more widely for health planning to reduce maternal morbidity in Nepal.