From 2017 to 2022, the prevalence of maternal underweight in the lowest
equity quintile increased by 3 percentage points. In contrast, there was
a decrease of 3 percentage points in the highest equity quintile. Consequently,
during this period, the gap between the two quintiles widened, indicating a
growing disparity in the prevalence of maternal underweight between the two
socioeconomic groups.
Maternal Underweight by Equity Quintile
Maternal Underweight by Caste/Ethnicity
From 2017 to 2022, Brahmin and Chhetri communities decreased the
prevelance of maternal underweight faster than the marginalized
communities. As maternal underweight was higher among Brahmin and Chhetri in
2017, there was a slight narrowing of the gap between these two groups.
Maternal Underweight by Agro-Ecological Zones
Between 2017 and 2022, the terai region showed a greater reduction in
maternal underweight by 4 percentage points, while the mountain and hill
regions decreased by 2 percentage points. However, the mountain and hill
regions had lower prevalence rates to begin with. As a result, despite
making progress, the terai region still has a considerable gap to close
to reach the same level as the mountain and hill regions.
42%
2017
-
26%
2022
35%
2017
-
45%
2022
8%
2017
-
30%
2022
