Birth outcomes across ethnic groups of women in Nepal.
This study was conducted at the Western Regional Hospital (WRH), Pokhara, Nepal. We investigated the relationship between selected socioeconomic variables, pregnancy indices, birth weight, and maternal health in women of different ethnic origins. In our cross-sectional data set, 29.8% of infants were born with a low birth weight. Our data analysis showed Indo-Aryan and lower caste ethnic groups had significantly lower weight babies than Tibeto-Burman and Newar groups. Further analysis showed that the Tibeto-Burman group received better care during pregnancy. Similarly, the Newar groups had significantly better nutritional intake than the Indo-Aryan and lower caste groups. The outcome of food restriction and antenatal care during pregnancy in specific ethnic groups has important implications for the health care delivery system. Health policymakers should target those ethnic groups and develop culturally based policies to reduce the incidence of low birth weight in Nepal.
Acharya
Pratima Poudel
PP
School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. ppoudel@yahoo.com
Alpass
Fiona
F
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000592:standards; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000208:ethnology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires