Prenatal healthcare among Dalit women in rural Nepal: a case study of Sigana village, Baglung.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: Nepal had a maternal mortality rate of 190 per 100,000 live births in 2013, which in itself is a higher rate compared to the rate of developed countries. Moreover, within the nation, the gap between the non-dalit and dalit population is wide. Similarly, dalit populations, especially from rural areas are far behind the non-dalit population in terms of the utilization of prenatal care too. In this study, we attempted to understand the rural dalit women's prenatal experiences and explore the barriers in accessing prenatal care. We interviewed 11 rural dalit women, residing in Sigana Village, Baglung District. From the qualitative interviews, we found that lack of cultural and economic capital, unequal domestic and economic burden, and gender and caste discrimination impact these women's use of prenatal care. Making the women aware of the free services and incentives, building birth center nearby the village or improving transportation to the hospital might encourage them to utilize the available services.