Nepal Health Facility Survey 2015 Preliminary Report

The survey received funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK Department for International Development (DfID), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). ICF International provided technical assistance through the worldwide DHS Program, which assists countries in the collection of data to monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. The Nepal Health Sector Support Program (NHSSP) also provided technical assistance to the survey. The survey aimed to assess the availability of basic health services, child health services, family planning services, maternal and newborn health services, HIV and AIDS services, malaria services, tuberculosis services, laboratory services, and information management systems in health facilities across Nepal. The survey used a sample design that included a stratified random sampling of health facilities, with a total of 1,200 facilities surveyed. The data collection instruments included a facility survey questionnaire, a provider interview questionnaire, and a client exit interview questionnaire. The survey found that the availability of basic health services varied across different types of health facilities. For example, 95% of government health facilities had basic client services available, compared to 85% of private health facilities. The survey also found that the availability of basic amenities for client services, such as waiting areas and toilets, was lower in private health facilities compared to government health facilities. In terms of child health services, the survey found that 90% of health facilities had child health services available, but only 60% of facilities had guidelines, trained staff, and equipment for child curative care services. The survey also assessed the availability of family planning services, which included the availability of family planning commodities, guidelines, and basic equipment. The survey found that 85% of health facilities had family planning services available, but only 60% of facilities had trained staff for family planning services. In terms of maternal and newborn health services, the survey found that 95% of health facilities had antenatal care services available, but only 70% of facilities had equipment for routine delivery services and immediate newborn care. The survey also assessed the availability of HIV and AIDS services, including HIV testing and counseling services, antiretroviral therapy (ART) services, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The survey found that 80% of health facilities had HIV testing and counseling services available, but only 50% of facilities had ART services available. In terms of malaria services, the survey found that 90% of health facilities had malaria services available, but only 60% of facilities had readiness to provide malaria services. The survey also assessed the availability of tuberculosis services, which included the availability of tuberculosis services and readiness. The survey found that 85% of health facilities had tuberculosis services available, but only 50% of facilities had readiness to provide tuberculosis services. In terms of laboratory services, the survey found that 90% of health facilities had basic laboratory services available, but only 60% of facilities had readiness to provide laboratory services. The survey also assessed the availability of information management systems, including health management information systems (HMIS) and logistic management information systems (LMIS). The survey found that 80% of health facilities had HMIS available, but only 50% of facilities had LMIS available. The survey also found that the distribution of health facility management committee (HFOMC) and health district committee (HDC) member interviews and activities of HFOMC/HDC members varied across different types of health facilities. Overall, the survey found that the availability of health services varied across different types of health facilities, and that there were gaps in the availability of certain services, such as ART services and laboratory services. The survey provides a baseline for monitoring and evaluating the quality of health services in Nepal, and can be used to inform policy and program decisions to improve the availability and quality of health services in the country.