Husband Involvement in the Prevention of Maternal Ill-health: the Determinants of Husband Domestic Support in Rural Low-land Nepal

With a maternal mortality rate of 539 per 100.000 live births, maternal health is of much concern in Nepal. In general, the availability and quality of (emergency) obstetric services is inadequate while the utilisation of maternity health services is lower in Nepal compared to other countries with similar infrastructure. Jahn et al. (2000) observe that cultural barriers, perceived low quality of care, perceived discrimination of rural people, and the lack of a perceived health gain are at the roots of under utilisation of services. One of the consequences is that most of the deliveries take place at home (89%) (Ministry of Health 2002). This situation makes the social environment at household level and the role of men therein of relative importance to any preventive measures concerning maternal ill health.