Assessment of Child Health Services during Mamta Divas (Health and Nutrition Day): Insights from the Urban Health Centres of Ahmedabad, Gujarat - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Maternal and infant mortality rates in India are impacted by limited access to healthcare services. So, the current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the child health service delivery during the Mamta divas at Urban health centres of Ahmedabad district. Aims/Objectives: 1) To assess the planning components including availability of logistics/vaccines/other supplies during Mamta divas sessions. 2) To evaluate the process and extent of child health services implemented during Mamta Divas sessions. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at the seven Urban primary health care settings (including slum and non-slum areas) for duration of 18 months. Total 42 mamta sessions were evaluated using a preformed semi-structured Questionnaire comprising information about planning components, logistics and maternal health services. Results: The study revealed that child health services followed the micro-plan consistently, focusing primarily on child registration, weight assessment, immunization, and filling out Mamta cards. However, 32% of outreach sessions were conducted in poorly defined areas. Lacunae were noted in height/length measurements, which were conducted in only 50% of cases, and the absence of growth chart plotting. Additionally, two-thirds of the sessions failed to identify different grades of malnutrition. Moreover, the four key post-vaccination messages were communicated to beneficiaries in only half of the Mamta sessions. Conclusions: Therefore, the process evaluation of Mamta Divas will serve as a tool to advocate for ways to improve services and highlight strengths and flaws. Key words: Process evaluation, Urban primary health centres, Mamta divas, Child health services