Nepal

Table 6.9a.2 Content of antenatal care counseling related to risk symptoms
Among antenatal care (ANC) clients whose consultations were observed, the percentages whose consultation included counseling on topics
related to indicated risk symptoms, according to ANC visit status, by background characteristics, Nepal Health Facility Survey 2015
Managing authority Ecological region Earthquakeaffected
Counseling topics Public Private Mountain Hill Terai districts (14)
FIRST-VISIT ANC CLIENTS
National
average
Vaginal bleeding or spotting 1.2 5.9 3.3 2.9 1.2 3.6 1.9
Fever 1.1 0.8 0.0 2.3 0.6 1.7 1.1
Headache or blurred vision 2.8 0.0 6.7 6.4 0.1 8.2 2.4
Swollen hands, face, or body 2.7 2.0 10.8 3.4 1.9 1.2 2.6
Tiredness, shortness of breath 1.1 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.8 0.0 1.0
Fetal movement: loss of,
excessive or normal 2.5 1.5 0.0 3.6 1.9 1.9 2.4
Any of the above risk symptoms 7.7 9.1 14.1 10.7 6.2 11.6 7.9
All of the above symptoms 0.4 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.4
Number of ANC clients 449 73 16 171 336 98 523
FOLLOW-UP ANC CLIENTS
Vaginal bleeding or spotting 1.2 2.7 2.5 2.4 0.5 2.9 1.6
Fever 1.0 1.7 5.9 1.6 0.2 1.9 1.2
Headache or blurred vision 3.8 0.2 3.4 3.2 2.7 3.7 3.0
Swollen hands, face, or body 6.9 7.7 3.7 8.1 6.0 10.1 7.0
Tiredness, shortness of breath 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.7
Fetal movement: loss of,
excessive or normal 7.2 3.1 3.1 6.6 6.2 5.0 6.3
Any of the above risk symptoms 15.0 13.2 11.2 15.8 13.3 17.5 14.6
All of the above symptoms 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2
Number of ANC clients 761 218 32 513 434 319 980
ALL OBSERVED ANC CLIENTS
Vaginal bleeding or spotting 1.2 3.5 2.8 2.5 0.8 3.1 1.7
Fever 1.1 1.5 3.9 1.8 0.4 1.9 1.1
Headache or blurred vision 3.4 0.2 4.5 4.0 1.6 4.7 2.8
Swollen hands, face, or body 5.3 6.2 6.0 6.9 4.2 8.0 5.5
Tiredness, shortness of breath 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.9 0.8 0.4 0.8
Fetal movement: loss of,
excessive or normal 5.5 2.7 2.1 5.8 4.3 4.3 4.9
Any of the above risk symptoms 12.3 12.2 12.2 14.6 10.2 16.1 12.3
All of the above symptoms 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.3
Number of ANC clients 1,211 292 48 685 770 417 1,502
Other ANC Counseling
Tables 6.10.1 and 6.10.2 address other aspects of antenatal counseling. The results suggest that most
of the counseling during ANC visits is focused on ensuring a healthy pregnancy and birth. Almost half of
ANC clients were counseled on nutrition during pregnancy. One-third of ANC clients were advised on issues
relating to the progress of their pregnancy. Two out of 10 clients were counseled on the importance of at
least four ANC visits and on planning/preparedness measures. Very few ANC clients were counseled on
newborn care, breastfeeding practices, infant vaccinations, or family planning.
134 • Antenatal Care