Influence of family members on utilization of maternal health care services among teen and adult pregnant women in Kathmandu, Nepal: a cross sectional study.

Background: In some developing countries a woman's decision to utilize maternal health care services is not made by the woman herself but by other family members. The perception of family members regarding who is the most influential person for making the decision to utilize these services is inconclusive. Hence, this study aimed to determine the perceived influential person on utilization of antenatal care (ANC) and delivery care services among teen, young adult and adult pregnant women from the perspective of the woman themselves, their husband and their mother-in-law, identify the factors associated with the woman being the most influential person, and assess the level of agreement between the woman's and her husband's response to the woman being the most influential person.

Effects of abortion legalization in Nepal, 2001-2010.

Background: Abortion was legalized in Nepal in 2002, following advocacy efforts highlighting high maternal mortality from unsafe abortion. We sought to assess whether legalization led to reductions in the most serious maternal health consequences of unsafe abortion.

Methods: We conducted retrospective medical chart review of all gynecological cases presenting at four large public referral hospitals in Nepal.

Change in willingness to pay for normal delivery and caesarean section during pregnancy and after delivery in Kathmandu.

Summary Objectives: To determine the change in willingness to pay (WTP) measured at pregnancy and at postpartum before and after knowing hospital costs among women who gave birth by normal delivery (NL) and caesarean section (CS) and to identify factors affecting the change in WTP.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted from May to August 2009 at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. WTP for total costs was measured by double-bound dichotomous contingent valuation and an open-ended technique.

Maternal mortality over the last decade: a changing pattern of death due to alarming rise in hepatitis in the latter five-year period.

Aims: To study the causes of maternal mortality in two consecutive five year periods over a decade (1997-2001/2002-2006) in a university hospital.

Method: A maternal mortality over 10 years (1997-2006) was analyzed prospectively from the Obstetrics/Gynecology Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

Results: The maternal mortality ratio of 267.

Effect of education and pill count on hemoglobin status during prenatal care in Nepalese women: a randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To determine the effect of an education program and/or pill count on the change in hemoglobin levels and the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women.

Methods: A randomized, factorial design controlled trial was conducted at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal. A total of 320 eligible pregnant women receiving prenatal care were randomized into four groups (control, education, pill count and education with pill count) by block randomization with allocation concealment.

Mifepristone plus vaginal misoprostol vs vaginal misoprostol alone for medical abortion in gestation 63 days or less in Nepalese women: a quasi-randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol with misoprostol alone for pregnancy termination up to 63 days.

Method: This exploratory study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal as a part of a thesis study for a period of one year from April 2005-2006. After confirming a pregnancy < or =63 days gestation by transvaginal ultrasound, an equal number of women (50) were randomized into (i) group A, women who received 200 mg oral mifepristone (RU 486) on day 1 and vaginal misoprostol 800 microg on day 3; and (ii) group B, women who received vaginal misoprostol (800 microg) on day 1 and 3 (total dose 1600 microg).

Induced septic abortion: a major factor in maternal mortality and morbidity.

Background: Septic abortion is an infection of the uterus and its appendages following any abortion especially, illegally performed induced abortions. It is characterized by a rise of temperature to at least 100.4 degrees F, associated offensive or purulent vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain and tenderness.