Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42174467›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026

Determinants of health-seeking behavior of people on institutional delivery: evidence from qualitative research.

Sailaja Ghimire, Bishal Dahal Khatri, Jot Narayan Patel, Sadikshya Bhattarai, Leela Khanal, Swechhya Shrestha, Rabindra Bhandari, Namita Ghimire, Pradeep Gyanwali, Madhusudan Subedi and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Sailaja GhimireNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal. sailajaghimire35@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0879-2554
Bishal Dahal KhatriNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Jot Narayan PatelNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sadikshya BhattaraiNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Leela KhanalUnited Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Swechhya ShresthaUnited Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Rabindra BhandariNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Namita GhimireNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Pradeep GyanwaliNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Madhusudan SubediPatan Academy of Health Science, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Meghnath DhimalNepal Health Research Council, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInstitutional delivery is an evidence-based option that substantially reduces risks to mothers and newborns. However, the existing literature provides an incomplete account of the determinants that influence individuals' choices about institutional delivery. This study explores the determinants (facilitators, barriers) of health-seeking behavior for institutional delivery in Nepal.

methodsThis study employed a focused ethnographic design, which allowed for an in-depth understanding of participants lived experiences in relation to health seeking behavior to institutional delivery. 60 in-depth interviews were conducted among mothers of children under two years, followed by transect walk, informal discussion with community people and field observations. Purposeful sampling included mothers who delivered in health facilities to explore facilitators of institutional delivery and mothers who delivered at home to identify barriers. Primary data were collected from both rural and urban sites across seven provinces of Nepal. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed in Nepali, and subsequently translated into English. Codes were generated from the translated transcripts, and those codes were then organized into overarching themes and sub-themes. An inductive approach was employed for data analysis, and R-based Qualitative Data Analysis (RQDA) software was used for data management.

resultsThe study revealed broad support for antenatal care and health facilities, emphasizing their safety and benefits. Information about institutional delivery was disseminated through multiple channels, although some participants lacked comprehensive knowledge, leading to decisions influenced by personal intuition and cultural beliefs. Household decision-making dynamics, geographic accessibility, and financial considerations were significant factors influencing the selection of delivery location. While some participants valued free services, others experienced financial hardships. Infrastructure limitations and behaviours of health workers also affected health-seeking behaviors.

conclusionAntenatal care and facility-based childbirth are widely accepted among women in Nepal; however, utilization of institutional delivery remains constrained by multiple barriers, including limited maternal knowledge, family decision-making dynamics, distance and transport challenges, hidden costs, shortages of facilities and personnel, disrespectful care, and COVID-19-related disruptions. Addressing these barriers is important to improve access to safe facility-based delivery.

Indexed as

Delivery, ObstetricHealth FacilitiesPatient Acceptance of Health CareAdultAnthropology, CulturalFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth Services AccessibilityHome ChildbirthHumansMaternal Health ServicesMothersNepalPregnancyPrenatal CareQualitative ResearchBarriersDeterminantsFacilitatorsHealth Seeking BehaviorInstitutional Delivery

Identifiers

PMID42174467
PMCPMC13374296

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.