Traditional and Modern Maternal and Child Health Care Practices and their Effects on Rajbanshi Community in Nepal

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Background: Rajbanshi is one of the indigenous and underprivileged communities in Nepal. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study on Rajbanshi Community. The study was an attempt to explore and examine the modern and traditional health care seeking practices and estimate their effects on mother and child health.  Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative methodology was employed. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews, FGD guideline, naturalistic observation, and case study approach. Quantitative data were collected using household questionnaire survey from 1514 participants.   Results: Guru Gosai and Gosai were the main traditional healers in the sampled Rajbanshi community. Deities, witchcrafts, evil spirits, touching of pithiya/chhatka, dirt, or poor sanitation, were the major causes of diseases or illnesses. Healers identified such causes through the process of jokhana. Based on the findings, healers treat or heal the patients by chanting mantra, jharph

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