Examining the Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Rural Nepal

This study examines the strengths and opportunities of Maternal Child Health Workers (MCHWs) in providing Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care services in rural communities of Nepal. It explores the selection procedure of MCHWs, and their knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The study also explores the supervision of MCHWs, the delivery of medical supplies to the Sub-Health Posts, and other social factors of MCHWs in Rautahat and Bara Districts in the Terai region of Nepal. In addition, the paper discusses the overall perspectives of both theoretical and practical programs of MCH which include the MCH concept and applications as well as MCH practices. The study used structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation to explore the MCH services in sixteen Village Development Committees (VDC) in Rautahat and Bara Districts. Sixteen MCHWs and sixteen mothers were interviewed to discover the MCHWs' work performance in terms of strengths and opportunities in their responsibility areas. The study found that the strengths of the MCHWs were their high educational background, good basic knowledge and skills on certain topics of MCH services, positive attitudes toward MCH services, and good work performance in their communities. The opportunities or weaknesses of the MCHWs were a lack of competence in some topics of the MCH knowledge and skills, incomplete MCH services, and the lack of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment. The study also found that there were other social and political elements involved, which affect the MCHW’s programs in rural Nepal.