The Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS) conducted in 2010 by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveals that only 36 percent of the households in the two regions have improved sanitation. [break]
Preliminary report of the study publicized in the capital Friday disclosed that 19 percent of the women aged 15-19 have to live in different house (Chhaupadi) during menstruation.
A total of 6,000 households were interviewed and 1,250 of them were from urban areas (municipalities) and the remaining 4,750 were from the rural areas (VDCs). The study covered nutrition, child health, environment, reproductive health, education, child protection, and HIV and AIDS issues.
The study showed 54 percent of the total population in mid and farwestern region have access to electricity. Among the interviewed, 55 percent had radio sets, 23 percent had TV sets, five percent had landline phone, 48 percent had mobile phone and two percent had computer.
The study also reveals that only 34 percent of the respondents aged 15-24 years and 22 percent of the respondents aged 15-49 years had comprehensive knowledge about HIV prevention.
Yuba Raj Bhusal, Secretary of National Planning Commission secretariat, informing about the preliminary findings of the study at a function in Kathmandu said, "Mid and farwestern regions are vulnerable to poverty." He added that due to the bad practice, various forms of domestic violence are prevalent in Nepal.
Similarly, Hana Singer, UNICEF Country Representative, said all of us should fight domestic violence against women. "Women in rural areas still have to sleep in a different house during menstruation, this is not acceptable at all," she said.
The CBS will come up with the final report of the study by December. The survey was conducted by the government of Nepal with technical and financial support from UNICEF.
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