Background. Respectful care during childbirth has been described as “a universal human right that encompasses the principles of ethics and respect for women’s feelings, dignity, choices, and preferences.” Many women experience a lack of respectful and abusive care during childbirth across the globe. Objective. This study aimed to determine women’s perception of respectful maternity care (RMC) during facility-based childbirth. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 mothers admitted to the maternity ward of Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through an interview technique by using a validated tool containing 15 items each measured on a scale of 5. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 was used for data analysis. Frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. In total, 84.7% of the women reported that they have experienced overall RMC services with a mean score ± SD (61.70 ± 12.12). Though the majority of the women reported that they have experienced RMC services, they also revealed that they have experienced disrespectful care in various forms such as being shouted upon (30.0%), being slapped (18.7%), delayed service provision (22.7%), and not talking positively about pain and relief during childbirth (28.0%). Likewise, length of stay, parity, and time of delivery were found as factors that influenced friendly care (COR = 0.383, 95% CI: 0.157–0.934), abuse-free care (COR = 3.663, 95% CI: 1.607–8.349), and timely care (COR = 2.050, 95% CI: 1.031–4.076) dimensions of RMC, respectively. Conclusion. Even though RMC emphasizes eliminating disrespectful and abusive environment from health facilities, 15.0% of participants perceived that they have not experienced overall RMC services. So, the health facility should focus on the interventions which ensure that every woman receives this basic human dignity during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

INTRODUCTION

Background: Cervical cancer, being the fourth commonest cancer in women worldwide, is also the most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women in developing and underdeveloped countries. Screening is the gold standard to control the disease yet, its uptake is still very low among Nepalese women. Thus, the objective of this study was to find out the determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening among women.Methods: Data were collected from a total of 220 women visiting gynecology outpatient department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu by using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were applied.Results: The study findings revealed that the prevalence of uptake of cervical cancer screening was about one third (38.6%). Educational qualification had a significant association with the uptake of cervical cancer screening (p=0.017). Women’s age (COR=0.267; 95%CI=0.150-0.475), knowledge on availability of health services (COR=5.310; 95% CI=2.947-9.567), awareness on cost of screening services (COR=26.329; 95% CI=12.704-54.566), and knowledge level (COR=2.677; 95%CI= 1.385-5.173) had a significant association with the uptake of cervical cancer screening in bivariate analysis. Age (AOR=0.148; 95%CI=0.058-0.375) and awareness on cost of screening services (AOR=61.048, 95%CI=19.194-194.175) were found as major determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening. Conclusions: The findings of this study conclude that the prevalence of uptake of cervical cancer screening was below half. Determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening were age and awareness on the cost of screening services. So, awareness campaigns about cervical cancer screening are very necessary to increase its uptake and to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with it.Keywords: Cervical cancer screening; determinants; uptake

Knowledge of obstetric danger signs is crucial to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by identifying the problems earlier and avoiding the delay in seeking obstetric care. According to World Health Organization (WHO) more than 70% of maternal deaths occur due to obstetric complications and most of these deaths occur in developing countries. Most of these are preventable if pregnant women can identify these life-threatening danger signs on time and seek appropriate emergency obstetric care. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 15th July to 30th August 2021, 194 pregnant women who visited the Gynaecology Outpatient Department in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, were enrolled for the study. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The study findings revealed that overall knowledge on obstetric danger signs was suboptimal (3.1%). The median knowledge score of respondents on antenatal danger signs was 30.0% (Q1-Q3=17.5-40), intra-natal danger signs was 0.0% (Q1-Q3=0-20) and postnatal danger signs were 25% (Q1-Q3=0- 25). Severe vaginal bleeding was the most frequently mentioned danger sign in each of the three gestational periods (antenatal: 78.9%, intra-natal; 29.9% and postnatal; 39.7%). In conclusion, service providers and health management teams should emphasize on information, education and communication for every pregnant woman focusing on obstetric danger signs to have better awareness and thereby reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.