Impact of an integrated nutrition and health programme on neonatal mortality in rural northern India |
Authors: |
Abdullah H Baqui et al. |
Source: |
Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Volume 86, Number 10, October 2008, 737-816 |
Topic(s): |
Childhood mortality Neonatal mortality Nutrition Residence
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Country: |
Asia
India
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Published: |
OCT 2008 |
Abstract: |
Objective: To assess the impact of the newborn health component of a large-scale community-based integrated nutrition and health
programme.
Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, we evaluated a programme facilitated by a nongovernmental organization that was
implemented by the Indian government within existing infrastructure in two rural districts of Uttar Pradesh, northern India. Mothers
who had given birth in the 2 years preceding the surveys were interviewed during the baseline (n = 14 952) and endline (n = 13 826)
surveys. The primary outcome measure was reduction of neonatal mortality.
Findings In the intervention district, the frequency of home visits by community-based workers increased during both antenatal (from
16% to 56%) and postnatal (from 3% to 39%) periods, as did frequency of maternal and newborn care practices. In the comparison
district, no improvement in home visits was observed and the only notable behaviour change was that women had saved money for
emergency medical treatment. Neonatal mortality rates remained unchanged in both districts when only an antenatal visit was
received. However, neonates who received a postnatal home visit within 28 days of birth had 34% lower neonatal mortality (35.7
deaths per 1000 live births, 95% confidence interval, CI: 29.2–42.1) than those who received no postnatal visit (53.8 deaths per 1000 live births, 95% CI: 48.9–58.8), after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Three-quarters of the mortality reduction was seen
in those who were visited within the first 3 days after birth. The effect on mortality remained statistically significant when excluding babies who died on the day of birth.
Conclusion: The limited programme coverage did not enable an effect on neonatal mortality to be observed at the population level.
A reduction in neonatal mortality rates in those receiving postnatal home visits shows potential for the programme to have an effect
on neonatal deaths. |
Web: |
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/10/07-042226/en/index.html |
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