Addressing the attitudes of service providers: increasing access to professional midwifery care in Nepal
Clapham, S.; Pokharel, D.; Bird, C.; Basnett, I.
Tropical Doctor 38(4): 197-201
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-4755 PMID: 18820180 DOI: 10.1258/td.2008.070291Document Number: 203478
Increasing access to professional care during labour and delivery is the central strategy in Nepal's commitment to reducing its maternal mortality ratio. This paper outlines a number of complementary interventions used by the Nepal Safer Motherhood Project to address the negative attitudes prevalent among service providers, which is a contributing factor to the under-utilization of the health-care services. The perspectives of the community and the service providers are presented, with a discussion of the importance of effective communication, the establishment of positive relationships and a demonstration of the critical role of local ownership and involvement in bringing about a positive change.