ABSTRACT
An intervention to improve maternal and child health was conducted in a remote Bolivian province with limited access to modern medical facilities. The intervention focused on initiating and strengthening women's organizations, developing women's skills in problem identification and prioritization, and training community members in safe birthing techniques. Its impact was evaluated by comparing perinatal mortality rates and obstetric behavior among 409 women before and after the intervention. Perinatal mortality decreased from 117 deaths per 1000 births before the intervention to 43.8 deaths per 1000 births after. There was a significant increase in the number of women participating in women's organizations following the intervention, as well as in the number of organizations. The proportion of women receiving prenatal care and initiating breast-feeding on the first day after birth was also significantly larger. The number of infants attended to immediately after delivery likewise increased, but the change was not statistically significant. This study demonstrates that community organization can improve maternal and child health in remote areas
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Infant Mortality/trends , Parturition/trends , Maternal Welfare/statistics & numerical data , Obstetrics/statistics & numerical data , Perinatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Child Health/statistics & numerical data , Community Participation , Bolivia , Rural AreasABSTRACT
Este manual es el estudio de un proyecto demostrativo de salud materna y neonatal de tres años de duración, realizado en la aprovincia Inquisivi, Bolivia. el proyecto fue implementado por Save the Children/Bolivia (SC/B) a través de un subcontrato con John Snow, Inc, y fue financiado por la agencia Internacional de Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo (USAID) y el proyecto MotherCare.