Effectiveness of the Comprehensive Community-Based Intervention on Maternal and Child Health in Bangladesh

Abstract

Ziaul Matin, Minjoon Kim, Farzana Bari, ASM Sayem, Shamima Sharmin, Abu Sayeed Md. Abdullah, Md. Abdul Halim and AKM Fazlur Rahman

The current study looked at the influence of a community intervention on maternal and child health in five Bangladeshi districts. To determine the impact on the intervention, data was acquired through a baseline and end-of-project review. A quasi-experimental design was used in this investigation, which included a baseline and end line survey with the same variables. The research was carried out in two geo demographic groups of districts including plain land districts with easy access to services, such as Tangail and Khulna, and hard to reach locations, such as Netrakona, Cox's Bazar, and Bandarban. Program impact on uptake of maternal and child health services, as defined by the health services/behaviors for the index pregnancy, was analyzed using difference-in-difference analysis. All programs that provided information and counseling to women and their families, often in conjunction with other program measures, increased the number of women who received ANC from a medically certified person during their pregnancy significantly. The community-based programs also resulted in a significant increase in the use of neonatal and child health services. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for maternal and newborn health policies as well as intervention evaluation in both easily accessible and difficult-to-access places.

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