Health status and health needs of orphan children of Kathmandu, Nepal
Methods and Methodology: The study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach: qualitative interviews and cross-sectional survey. In-depth interviews were conducted with the directors, carers and the stakeholders of concerned departments. A survey was carried out by distributing closed questionn...
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University of Aberdeen
2009
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| Online Access: | http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.509126 |
| Summary: | Methods and Methodology: The study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach: qualitative interviews and cross-sectional survey. In-depth interviews were conducted with the directors, carers and the stakeholders of concerned departments. A survey was carried out by distributing closed questionnaires to 536 children of different orphanages in Kathmandu Nepal. The sampling was done by PPS sampling method. Results: The study found that the political conflict and poverty were the main causes for children becoming orphans in Nepal and these factors were related to each other. Both communicable and non communicable diseases were found. Polluted air and water including unhygienic environment in and outside the orphanages were found to be some of the main reasons to cause diseases. A majority of orphanages used allopathic medicines for treatment, while some orphanages mainly small orphanages used homeopathic medicines. Majority of the orphanages did not have first aid kits. The orphanages could not often provide a balanced diet to the children and no preventive measures were systematically administered. Orphanages were in financial crisis as the Nepal government extended no financial cooperation. The majority of the orphanages were surviving on the ‘<i>Muthi dan system’ </i>which involved donations of handful of rice from households in the community. Conclusion: This study highlights the condition of orphans in Kathmandu. No adequate basic public health measures such as clean water supply or medical care were consistently being provided to these children and as a result children were suffering from various kinds of diseases. The orphanages were unable to provide even basic needs to the children because of insufficient funding. Furthermore, the Government was also not showing any form of interest conducive to a better future for the orphan children. |
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