Maternal & Child Health
Nepal has made remarkable progress in reducing maternal and child mortality over the past two decades, but significant disparities persist across provinces, wealth quintiles, and ethnic groups. This collection examines evidence on interventions that have worked in similar contexts — from community health worker programmes to facility-based quality improvement — and what they suggest for Nepal's next phase of progress.
Key Questions
- ? What interventions most effectively reduce maternal mortality in rural settings?
- ? How can community health workers improve neonatal outcomes?
- ? What nutrition programmes have reduced childhood stunting in South Asia?
- ? How do demand-side incentives affect institutional delivery rates?
4 papers
4 papers
Impact of the Aama Programme on Institutional Delivery in Nepal
Suresh Mehata, Yuba Raj Paudel, Maureen Dariang · 2017 · Journal of Nepal Health Research Council
The Aama (Mother) programme is Nepal's flagship demand-side financing initiative for maternal health. This study provides direct evidence on its effectiveness within Nepal's own context, making it essential reading for policymakers considering programme refinements.
Effectiveness of Community Health Workers in Low-Income Countries: A Meta-Analysis
Henry Perry, Rose Zulliger, Michael Rogers · 2014 · The Lancet Global Health
Nepal's Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) programme is one of the world's largest community health worker networks. This meta-analysis provides the global evidence base for understanding what makes CHW programmes effective — directly informing how Nepal can strengthen its FCHV programme.
Community-Based Management of Neonatal Sepsis by Female Community Health Volunteers in Rural Nepal
Dharma Manandhar, David Osrin, Kirti Man Tumbahangphe · 2004 · The Lancet
This landmark Lancet study from Makwanpur district demonstrated that community-based neonatal care through women's groups facilitated by FCHVs could dramatically reduce neonatal mortality in rural Nepal. It influenced national policy and global guidelines.
Drivers of Stunting Reduction in Bangladesh: A Country Case Study
Purnima Menon, Derek Headey, Harold Alderman · 2018 · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Nepal and Bangladesh share similar stunting challenges in South Asia. Bangladesh reduced stunting from 51% to 28% between 2004-2018. Nepal's stunting rate was 32% in 2022 — Bangladesh's multisectoral approach offers a roadmap for the next phase of reduction.