Description

ABSTRACT
The present study on Child care among the Nepali Kshattriyas of Sonitpur District, Assam, India was undertaken with the following objectives 1). To find out how much care, what type of care is given to the women during pregnancy and after delivery 2). To find out the restrictions of movement during pregnancy, restriction in food, pregnancy feast and other behaviour of pregnant women 3). To find out the different types of experiences in physical and social environment after birth. The materials for the present study were collected from one ethnic group namely the Nepali Kshattriya population. The data was collected from two villages namely Shitalmari and Borbhogia which are exclusively inhabited by the Nepali Kshattriya population of Sonitpur district, Assam. A total of 305 households from two different villages were selected. The data were mainly collected by house to house survey. The findings of the study found that none of the family ever used to practice the modern pregnancy diagnosis test but they rely on their own diagnosis. Practice of avoiding certain acts and place was common in case of pregnancy care. 23% of pregnant women consumed extra intake of food, others were not consumed and not concerned about maintaining a balanced diet. They were engaged in domestic household works during the antenatal period. Almost half of the respondents (46.75%) had not check-ups during the pre-natal period. Maximum birth took place at home. Care after birth was adequate according to the need of the mother. The mother and her child care are considered polluted for at least 22 days after delivery. The mother is debarred from her usual work. The rest after delivery was seen in the entire household. The study showed that people gave special care in the diet of a lactating mother and not restriction of food after delivery.

Keywords: Child care, Pregnant women, Antenatal period, Feeding