Matters of Gender and Social Disparities Regarding Postnatal Care Use among Nepalese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Morang District
Issued Date
2023-05-01
Resource Type
eISSN
24731242
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85160587057
Journal Title
Health Equity
Volume
7
Issue
1
Start Page
271
End Page
279
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Health Equity Vol.7 No.1 (2023) , 271-279
Suggested Citation
Amatya R., Tipayamongkholgul M., Suwannapong N., Tangjitgamol S. Matters of Gender and Social Disparities Regarding Postnatal Care Use among Nepalese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Morang District. Health Equity Vol.7 No.1 (2023) , 271-279. 279. doi:10.1089/heq.2022.0186 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/82988
Title
Matters of Gender and Social Disparities Regarding Postnatal Care Use among Nepalese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Morang District
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: The study compares the uses of postnatal care (PNC) and women's autonomy gradients across social caste and used intersectionality concepts to estimate odds ratio of women's autonomy and social caste on complete PNC. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study among 600 women aged 15-49 years who had at least one child younger than the age of 2 years in Morang District, Nepal, was conducted from April to July 2019. PNC, women's autonomy (decision-making power, freedom of movement, and control over finances) and social caste were collected by both methods. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine associations between women's autonomy, social caste, and complete PNC. Results: Complete PNC totaled 13.5% of respondents. About one-fourth of respondents reported poor overall autonomy; however, non-Dalit demonstrated higher autonomy than Dalit. Non-Dalit exhibited greater odds of complete PNC by four times. Women exhibited high women's autonomy in decision-making power, control over finance, and freedom of movement and have greater odds of complete PNC than low autonomy by 17, 3, and 7 times, respectively. Conclusion: The study raises awareness of intersectionality (gender and social caste), relating to maternal health in caste-based system countries. To improve maternal health outcomes, health care personnel should identify and systematically address barriers that women of lower-caste membership face and offer these women appropriate advice or resources to obtain care. A multilevel change program that involves different actors like husbands and community leaders is needed for improving women's autonomy and lessening stigmatized perceptions, attitudes, or practices toward non-Dalit caste-members.