Enhancing Maternal and Newborn Care in Rural Uganda

In Eastern Uganda, maternal and newborn health services in rural low-resource settings have been a focal point in efforts to reduce mortality rates. The “Communities in which Mothers and Newborns Thrive (COMONETH) project” was implemented from 2017 to 2020 to address barriers to accessing these crucial services. The project aimed to enhance the utilization of maternal and newborn care services and improve care practices in Luuka district, Uganda.

The project employed a demand-supply linked intervention approach, engaging Community Health Workers (CHWs) to educate and refer expectant mothers to health facilities when necessary. The intervention also included video shows on pregnancy danger signs, mentoring health workers with PRONTO, and enhancing obstetric surgery at referral facilities. The study used a pre- and post-comparison design to evaluate the impact of the intervention on various maternal and newborn care indicators.

Results showed significant improvements associated with the intervention, including increased odds of attending antenatal care visits and utilizing postnatal care services. Notably, there was an enhancement in practices such as delayed bathing, clean cord care, and immediate wrapping of newborns. These findings underscore the potential of demand-supply linked interventions to enhance maternal and newborn care outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

Maternal and newborn health is critical, particularly in rural areas where risks during pregnancy and childbirth are elevated. Despite global progress in reducing neonatal and maternal mortality rates, challenges persist, especially in low and middle-income countries like Uganda. Addressing these challenges requires effective interventions that address barriers to accessing and utilizing maternal and newborn health services.

Community health workers play a vital role in mobilizing communities and emphasizing the importance of antenatal care, facility delivery, and postnatal care. Strengthening the quality of care at health facilities, ensuring the availability of essential supplies, and enhancing health workers’ skills are essential components in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes. Interventions like the COMONETH project have shown promise in bridging demand-side gaps and improving care practices, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality in rural settings.

In conclusion, proactive community-engaged health facility-linked interventions have the potential to significantly impact maternal and newborn health outcomes. As efforts continue to scale up such interventions, a focus on ensuring quality care, addressing supply shortages, and supporting community health workers in promoting best practices is crucial. By prioritizing these interventions and addressing the needs of marginalized populations, significant strides can be made in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates in low-resource settings.