A cohort study of the utilisation of institutional delivery services and pregnancy outcomes in the Kaski district of Nepal

Abstract

Delivery at a health facility results in better outcomes for mothers and infants in Nepal. A cohort of 701 pregnant women was recruited and followed up. The lack of perceived need and distance to health facility were two important barriers to health centre delivery. The perceived quality of health facilities was also important. Birth preparedness programs, referral transport, the quality of birth centres and maternity waiting homes are important interventions to increase facility deliveries.