Survey paints bleak condition of children, women in mid and far western regions

The Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS) 2010, showcasing household level data on children and women of the Mid and Far Western Regions was launched amidst a programme here in the capital on Friday. The report highlights the miserable condition of women and children in these regions.

The survey conducted conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) with the technical and financial support from UNICEF Nepal in collaboration with the government covered 7,372 women aged between 15 to 49 and 3,574 children under the age of five from 6,000 households in 24 district in the mountains, hills and Terai areas of the Mid and Far Western Regions.

Some 60 enumerators in twelve teams surveyed on the issues including nutrition, child health, water and sanitation, literacy and education, reproductive health, child development, child protection, HIV and AIDS, exposure to mass media, use of information technology, life satisfaction, informed Director of CBS Nabin Lal Shrestha during a paper presentation.

As per the survey, only around 64 percent infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months while immunisation to infant was 56 percent before their first birthday in the regions, compared to the national average of 81 percent, according to Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011.

Similarly, the survey found that 56 percent household members in these regions had no toilet facility while only 36 percent were using an improved sanitation facility which is lower than the national average of 56 percent as per the Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLSS) 2011.

Only 45 percent received antenatal care (ANC) at least once from skilled provider compared to the national average of 58 per the NDHS 2011 while only 29 percent women were delivered by skilled personals compared to the national average of 36 percent.

Likewise, around 42 percent of children under five had been birth registered with civil authorities which is equal to the national average while 83 percent of children between 2-14 years experience violent discipline, including both psychological aggression and physical punishment.

Overall, 44 percent of children between 5-14 years are involved in child labour in these regions, says the report. Some 16 percent of women aged between 15-49 years got married before their 15th birthday whereas 60 percent women aged between 20-29 were first married or in union before age 19.

Likewise, some 73 percent of children of primary school age and 56 percent of secondary school age attended school.

Comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS in women was witnessed only 22 percent while around 45 percent of women aged 15-49 years in the MFWR knew where to be tested for HIV.

Only 5 percent of women were exposed to all three types of media at least one a week – Radio 49 percent, television 29 percent and newspaper 8 percent.

The survey also found that although 85 percent of the women had never had alcoholic drink, 7 percent had had at least one drink of alcohol before the age of 15 years, and 10 percent had had at least once drink of alcohole on one or more days in the months preceding the survey.

Some 91 percent were generally satisfied with their family life, 83 percent with their current job, 81 percent with school, self and life in general; 80 percent with their income; and 77 percent with their living environment.

The survey report was launched by vice-chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC) Deependra B. Kshetry amid a programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Kshetry said NMICS report would be helpful in formulating policies and allocating fund for the development initiatives in the mid and far western regions in the upcoming government budget. nepalnews.com