Page 204 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

proper nutrition for mother and child. Hence, safe motherhood ranges from pregnancy
till 42 days after delivery. In the context of Nepal, there is lack of health services and
people are ignorant about health care services. So, the safe motherhood is quite poor.
Majority of females have first marriage at the age of (15-19) years. More than 50%, three
out of five females deliver in home and about 15% females deliver a baby without health
check ups even once with medical practitioners. There is high maternal mortality rate as
well. Nearby three females die out of 1000 deliveries.

c. Infant and child health care

It is most essential to care a pregnant lady for delivery of a healthy baby. Even after birth,
there should be proper care of infant. Special attention should be given for sanitation,
cleanliness, breast feeding, clothing as well as sleep and rest of infant. The infant should be
given appropriate nutrition and immunization as well. As a result, there can be reduction
of infant and child mortality rate.

d. Unsafe abortion and treatment of its consequences

The termination of growing foetus before birth either
naturally or artificially is called abortion. There can
be termination of growing foetus naturally during
accident, infection in uterus, defirmity of uterus,
carrying heavy loads, excessive stress and anxiety,
falling down etc. It is called as miscarriage. There can
be termination of growing foetus artificially by using
medicines or with the support of medical personnel. It
is called abortion. In the context of Nepal, there is lack Fig: 17
of health services and health manpower. Moreover,
people are ignorant about health services and health matters. Generally, females in the
rural areas tend to adopt various traditional and unscientific methods for abortion than
visiting to health centres or health personnel for safe abortion. In rural areas, females
consume some traditional medicines keeping in roti, pieces of bangles, hit the belly by
stick, insert stick with cow dung into vagina, etc. for the abortion. These types of unsafe
activities create excessive bleeding, infection in reproductive parts, rupturing of uterus,
permanent infertility and sometimes death of females. Actually, abortion has been legalized
in Nepal. With the consensus of both husband and wife, abortion can be done in (6-12)
weeks pregnancy. In case of raping, it can be done till 16 weeks of pregnancy. Actually,
females should not be encouraged for abortion. But in case of unwanted pregnancy, they
should be encouraged to visit health centres or take help of authorized medical personnel
only. By this, the problems caused by unsafe abortion can be solved.

e. Infection of reproductive parts
Females may have infection in reproductive parts due to various reasons. Generally,
females who have more sexual intercourse or sexual relationship with multiple partners
are prone to infection in reproductive parts. Infections in reproductive parts are due to
development of bacteria, virus and fungi. They are even caused by sexually transmitted
infections, use of surgical equipments and surgical activities. These infections are
204 GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9