Prevalence of High Risk Pregnancy in the Dalit Community of Chandannath Municipality, Jumla

WHO estimates that some 515 000 women die annually from pregnancy-related causes during the period including pregnancy and the six weeks postpartum, nearly all in the developing world¹. Maternal death is the predominal cause of death amongst women in the 15±44 y age group, and anaemia in pregnancy is considered one of the major risk factors (Nepal Government = World Health Organization, 1992; Nepal Government, 1996)². Depending on the type of population and the diagnostic criteria used, gestational diabetes is said to complicate 1–16% of all pregnancies. Knowledge on possible risk factors may help reduce the maternal death in Karnali.

To find out the factors causing high risk pregnancy.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the antenatal mothers of Dalit community residing in Chandannath municipality, Jumla. A total of 100 mothers were selected for the purpose of the study through snowball technique. Open ended semi-structured antenatal questionnaire was used as an instrument of study.

Descriptive statistics was used.

Majority of them were between the age group of 15–30 (55). Fifty five of the pregnancies were unplanned and 40 were below the age of 25. More than half (52) were multipara, 72 pregnant attended the antenatal clinic, 48 women had bad obstretic history (BOH), abortion being the commonest one. Eighty women had anemia of some degree and 38 had proteinuria.

Unplanned pregnancy, youger age, multiparity and BOH are the major factors for high risk pregnancy. Eighty and 38 women had anemia and proteinuria respectively.