Comparison of Domiciliary and Institutional Delivery-care Practices in Rural Rajasthan, India

Authors

  • Sharad D Iyengar Action Research and Training for Health, 772 Fatehpura, Udaipur
  • Kirti Iyengar Action Research and Training for Health, 772 Fatehpura, Udaipur
  • Virendra Suhalka Action Research and Training for Health, 772 Fatehpura, Udaipur
  • Kumaril Agarwal Action Research and Training for Health, 772 Fatehpura, Udaipur

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v27i2.3371

Keywords:

Childbirth, Cross-sectional studies, Emergency care, Fundal pressure, Knowledge, attitudes, and practice, Labour, Obstetric care, Oxytocin, Retrospective studies, Traditional birth atten­dants, India

Abstract

A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess key practices and costs relating to home- and institutional delivery care in rural Rajasthan, India. One block from each of two sample districts was cov­ered (estimated population-279,132). Field investigators listed women who had delivered in the past three months and contacted them for structured case interview. In total, 1,947 (96%) of 2,031 listed women were successfully interviewed. An average of 2.4 and 1.7 care providers attended each home- and institu­tional delivery respectively. While 34% of the women delivered in health facilities, modern care providers attended half of all the deliveries. Intramuscular injections, intravenous drips, and abdominal fundal pres­sure were widely used for hastening delivery in both homes and facilities while post-delivery injections for active management of the third stage were administered to a minority of women in both the venues. Most women were discharged prematurely after institutional delivery, especially by smaller health facilities. The cost of accessing home-delivery care was Rs 379 (US$ 8) while the mean costs in facilities for elective, dif­ficult vaginal deliveries and for caesarean sections were Rs 1,336 (US$ 30), Rs 2,419 (US$ 54), and Rs 11,146 (US$ 248) respectively. Most families took loans at high interest rates to meet these costs. It is concluded that widespread irrational practices by a range of care providers in both homes and facilities can adversely affect women and newborns while inadequate observance of beneficial practices and high costs are likely to reduce the benefits of institutional delivery, especially for the poor. Government health agencies need to strengthen regulation of delivery care and, especially, monitor perinatal outcomes. Family preference for hastening delivery and early discharge also require educational efforts.

Key words: Childbirth; Cross-sectional studies; Emergency care; Fundal pressure; Knowledge, attitudes, and practice; Labour; Obstetric care; Oxytocin; Retrospective studies; Traditional birth atten­dants; India

doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v27i2.3371

J Health Popul Nutr 2009 April;27(2):303-312

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
873
PDF
585

Author Biography

Sharad D Iyengar, Action Research and Training for Health, 772 Fatehpura, Udaipur

Dr. Sharad D. Iyengar
Action Research and Training for Health
772 Fatehpura
Udaipur 313004
India
Email: sdiyengar@gmail.com
Fax: 91-294-2451033

Downloads

How to Cite

Iyengar, S. D., Iyengar, K., Suhalka, V., & Agarwal, K. (2009). Comparison of Domiciliary and Institutional Delivery-care Practices in Rural Rajasthan, India. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 27(2), 303–312. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v27i2.3371

Issue

Section

Original Papers