Role of Female Community Health Volunteers in Family Planning and Maternal Health Care in Rural Nepal

Introduction: Female Community Health Volunteers play an important role since more than 20 years in contributing to a variety of key public health programs, including family planning, maternal care, child health, vitamin A supplementation/De-worming and immunization coverage in Nepal. They are the foundation of Nepal’s community-based primary health care system and are the key referral link between the health services and communities.
Objective: The overall objective of this study is to analyze the role of Female Community Health Volunteers at local community for contributing in increased utilization of Family planning and maternal health care services in rural Nepal.
Methods: This research has used the secondary data from Family Planning, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health situation in Rural Nepal: A Mid-term survey for Nepal Family Health Program-II, 2009/2010. The research design of the original study was “Quasi experimental” design. A total of 3932 household were sampled and 5,019 women who were residing in those household were interviewed. Key findings: Findings of this paper shows that Female Community Health Volunteers single contact has contributed in increased health service utilization especially in Family planning and maternal health in rural areas. Key words: Family planning, Maternal health, MDG