Background: PHRD Neapl, collaborates with One Heart Worldwide (OHW) to conduct the baseline survey in Dhanusha district. OHW is improving Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) in underserved areas of Nepal. Its program has impacted over one million mothers and newborns throughout 32 districts. The aim of OHW is to improve the local health care system ability to provide equitable, high-quality health service to all women and newborn in their area. This helped them develop a sustainable health care system called Network of Safety.The Network of Safety Model is designed to reduce the existing burden of maternal and neo-natal mortality and morbidity. This model engages local stakeholders and agencies to address critical gaps in MNH service delivery. It ensures that every pregnant woman and new born can access quality care from a trained medical provider. Nepal faces significant challenges in maternal and neonatal mortality rate. According to NDHS 2022, maternal mortality rate of Nepal is 151 deaths per 100000 live birth and neonatal mortality rate is 21 per 1000 live birth. There are big differences in the use of maternal health services in Nepal, with rural and remote areas having much less access. This is because of limited healthcare, low parental education levels, cultural beliefs, and tough geography.
The implementation of the Network of the Safety model in Dhanusha District aims to enhance the capacity of the MNH service providers and improve the readiness of service providers to provide MNH services, making the MNH services and care available and of quality. By improving the quality of the MNH services through Quality Improvement tool, minimum service standard tool and simulation-based mentoring program, this project also aims to increase demand for MNH health services to meet the need through community mobilization activities. Overall, this model, aims to improve the well-being of mothers and neonates along with the improvement in the area of maternal and neonate health service quality, availability, access and competent health service providers and readiness of the service providers, improving knowledge on maternal and neonate health.
The Baseline study in Dhanusha District estimates the maternal and neonatal mortality rates from the previous year. It measures the coverage of MNH services and evaluates the awareness of danger signs during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period among recently delivered women. It also examines the knowledge and practices related to birth preparedness and complication readiness among these women. It looks at the readiness of the health facilities to provide MNH services.
Objectives of the Study : The study will be a composite study having three major aspects. Study will achieve following objectives.
- To estimate maternal mortality ratio in the last year
- To estimate neonatal mortality rate in the last year.
- To measure MNH related service coverage (Antenatal care visit, institutional delivery, skilled birth attendant delivery, postnatal care visits etc.)
- To assess the level of knowledge about danger signs during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum period among recently delivered women.
- To evaluate the practice and knowledge regarding birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women
- To measure the readiness of the health facilities to provide MNH services.
Study team: Dr. Janak Thapa, Ms. Pragya Pokharel, Ms. Pabitra Balampaki, Mr. Sushant Luitel and Bijita Thapa
Duration: April to July 2025