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Testing a scalable community-based approach to improve maternal and neonatal health in rural Nepal

Journal of Perinatology volume 30, pages 388–395 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of improved maternal–neonatal care-seeking and household practices using an approach scalable under Nepal's primary health-care services.

Study Design:

Impact was assessed by pre- and post-intervention surveys of women delivering within the previous 12 months. Each district sample comprised 30 clusters, each with 30 respondents. The intervention consisted primarily of community-based antenatal counseling and dispensing and an early postnatal home visit; most activities were carried out by community-based health volunteers.

Result:

There were notable improvements in most household practice and service utilization indicators, although results regarding care-seeking for danger signs were mixed.

Conclusion:

It is feasible in a Nepal setting to significantly improve utilization of maternal–neonatal services and household practices, using the resources available under the government primary health-care system. This has the potential to significantly reduce neonatal mortality.

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Acknowledgements

The program described in this article was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), provided principally through a Nepal-based bilateral project (the Nepal Family Health Program II, implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute; CA#: 367-00-02-00017-00) and a centrally funded project (HARP-GRA, implemented by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NFHP-II, John Snow Inc. Research and Training Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal

    S Hodgins & S Neupane

  2. Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    R McPherson & A H Baqui

  3. Family Health Division, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal

    B K Suvedi

  4. NFHP-II, John Snow Inc. Research and Training Institute, Nepalganj, Nepal

    R B Shrestha, R C Silwal & B Ban

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  1. S Hodgins
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  2. R McPherson
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  3. B K Suvedi
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  4. R B Shrestha
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  5. R C Silwal
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  6. B Ban
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  7. S Neupane
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  8. A H Baqui
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Correspondence to S Hodgins.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Hodgins, S., McPherson, R., Suvedi, B. et al. Testing a scalable community-based approach to improve maternal and neonatal health in rural Nepal. J Perinatol 30, 388–395 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.181

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.181

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