Prenatal mortality remains high throughout south Asia. Deaths in the prenatal period are intimately linked to the health of the mother and her newborn. Despite their public health importance, interventions to address prenatal deaths have tended to focus upon managing complications and service provision. There is however, a wealth of health-seeking behaviour literature documenting that access alone does not increase health service utilisation. A combination of socio-economic and cultural factors contribute to seeking and receiving health care. With the majority of births in south Asia taking place at home, it is here that illness is recognised as such, and here that preventative measures to avoid illness are practised. An appreciation of care practices and health-seeking behaviour for the population at risk is essential to define the thrust of health education, so that care providers respond appropriately when a problem arises.
