The Impact of Health Intervention and Programmes on Mortality - A Case of Early Age Mortality in Nepal

The Impact of Health Intervention and Programmes on Mortality - A Case of Early Age Mortality in Nepal

Karki Yagya B.*, Hendrikus Raaijmakers** & Asha Pun***
*Population, Health & Development (PHD) Group, **Program Chief, Child Health & Survival and ***MNH Specialist, UNICEF, Nepal

Neonatal mortality rate (NNR) has declined slowly in Nepal. Between 2001 and 2011, post-neonatal (PNN) mortality fell by 50% (26 to 13), whereas the neonatal mortality was reduced by only 15% (39 to 33). During the last 5-year period (2006-2010) NNR didn't decline while PNN declined by 13%. Hence, an increasing proportion of child deaths are in the neonatal period; 61% of all deaths in children under 5 took place in the neonatal period. Nepal Government with technical and financial support from the private sector, NGOs and External Development Partners has attempted to reduce NNR by piloting CB-NCP in 10 districts in 2009 and 2010. Analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011 data shows that Community-Based Newborn Care Program (CB-NCP) has worked as the newborn care practices have improved and NNR in intervention areas is about half (20 per 1000 live births) the level than that of the remaining areas (39) of Nepal although nationally no decline was observed in 2011 compared to 2006 (33).