Perception of bleeding as a danger sign during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period in rural Nepal

Abstract

Many developing countries implement safe motherhood programs to tackle high maternal mortality rates. The approach requires recognition of the signs of emergency obstetric cases in order to facilitate immediate care seeking, followed by immediate medical care. Whether such signs are recognized in a timely manner at the community level is determined by how the community perceives health problems. We explore the local understanding of one danger sign--bleeding during pregnancy and at delivery--and the meaning attached to it. The study was conducted in the Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal. Different qualitative methods were applied. The findings indicate that the community's perception of bleeding might be quite different from that of health professionals and that perceptions and meanings attached to bleeding vary depending on the actors in the family. They all have significant implications for what should be the focus of health education and who should be involved in promoting maternal health.