Lower mortality is observed among low birth weight young infants who have received home-based care by female community health volunteers in rural Nepal

Neupane, Dinesh; Dawson, Penny; Houston, Robin; Dhakal, Liladhar; Sharma, Jaganath; Gargi, K C; Lagos, Christina; Khanal, Vishnu; Mishra, Shiva Raj; Kallestrup, Per

doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1355-z

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The same study also identified the improved odds of mothers having better knowledge and behaviors related to MNCH after the intervention [21]. Another cohort study found that those who received follow-up visits by FCHVs had 84% less relative risk of infant deaths due to low birth weight compared to those who had no FCHVs' involvement [19]. Despite the FCHVs' role in improving MNCH indicators in the country, their specific role in promoting PPFP was unclear.…”

Section: Role Of Fchv In Community Linkagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The involvement of FCHVs in community health interventions in Nepal has effectively improved population-based coverage for various health services [17][18][19][20][21]. A post disaster health promotion intervention study involving FCHVs in an earthquake affected district in Nepal showed that their involvement helped in improving the facility delivery among the mothers from 63 to 83% [21].…”

Section: Role Of Fchv In Community Linkagementioning

confidence: 99%

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Improving post-partum family planning services provided by female community health volunteers in Nepal: a mixed methods study

Thapa

Dhital

Rajbhandari

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background: Family planning services in the post-partum period, termed post-partum family planning (PPFP) is critical to cover the unmet need for contraception, especially when institutional delivery rates have increased. However, the intention to choose PPFP methods such as post-partum intrauterine devices (PPIUD) remains low in countries such as Nepal. Community health workers such as Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) could play an important role in improving the service coverage of PPFP in Nepal. However, their knowledge of PPFP and community-based services related to PPFP remain unclear. This study aims to assess the effect on communitybased PPFP services by improving FCHV's knowledge through orientation on PPFP. Methods: We conducted this mixed-methods study in Morang District in Nepal. The intervention involved orientation of FCHVs on PPFP methods. We collected quantitative data from three sources; via a survey of FCHVs that assessed their knowledge before and after the intervention, from their monthly reporting forms on counseling coverage of women at different stages of pregnancy from the communities, and by interviewing mothers in their immediate post-partum period in two selected hospitals. We also conducted six focus group discussions with the FCHVs to understand their perception of PPFP and the intervention. We performed descriptive and multivariable analyses for quantitative results and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: In total, 230 FCHVs participated in the intervention and their knowledge of PPFP improved significantly after it. The intervention was the only factor significantly associated with their improved knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 24, P < 0.001) in the multivariable analysis. FCHVs were able to counsel 83.3% of 1872 mothers at different stages of pregnancy in the communities. In the two hospitals, the proportion of mothers in their immediate postpartum period whom reported they were counseled by FCHVs during their pregnancy increased. It improved from 7% before the intervention to 18.1% (P < 0.001) after the intervention. The qualitative findings suggested that the intervention improved their knowledge in providing PPFP counseling. Conclusion: The orientation improved the FCHV's knowledge of PPFP and their community-based counseling. Follow-up studies are needed to assess the longer term effect of the FCHV's role in improving community-based PPFP services.

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Section: Role Of Fchv In Community Linkagementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Role Of Fchv In Community Linkagementioning

confidence: 99%

Improving post-partum family planning services provided by female community health volunteers in Nepal: a mixed methods study

Thapa

Dhital

Rajbhandari

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The sharp decline in child mortality in Nepal after the 1980s has been attributed to different inexpensive community-based interventions [7,[15][16][17] led by local health workers and FCHVs. Studies around the world have shown that community-based interventions with minimal training to community health volunteers and ensuring the availability of life-saving key commodities contributes to the decline in child mortality [18][19][20][21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with child health service delivery by female community health volunteers in Nepal: Findings from a national survey

Bhattarai

Khanal

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Nepal has made a significant improvement in child survival in the last few decades and the involvement of female community health volunteers (FCHVs) has been crucial in such achievement. While there have been a lot of documented studies and reports, rarely has been explored the status and factors associated with the child health service provided by these volunteers. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the child health service delivery by FCHVs.Methods : A national survey was conducted in 2014 in Nepal that included 4,302 FCHVs using the structured questionnaire across the 13 geopolitical domains of the country. The data was extracted and the association of child health services with characteristics was examined using Chi-square test (χ2) followed by logistic regression. Results: Overall, 62.6% of FCHVs provided at least one child health service. Those FCHVs who utilized money from the FCHV fund, conducted health mothers’ group meeting, involved in local committees and those who supported antenatal care and outreach clinics related activities had higher odds of providing child health services. Similarly, FCHVs equipped with the stock of Cotrimoxazole tablet, Zinc tablet, Oral Rehydration Salt packets were more likely to provide child health services. The province-wise analysis showed that FCHVs from Province 5 and Sudur Paschim Province were more likely to provide child health services compared to their counterparts from province 1. Technology-wise, FCHVs who were using mobile were more likely to provide child health services.Conclusions : FCHVs are important human resource in providing child health services in Nepal. To improve child health service delivery by FCHVs, availability of key commodities, involvement of FCHVs in regular health mothers’ group meeting, use of mobile phone, involvement in other public health programs and social networks, and utilization of the FCHV fund need to be taken into consideration.

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“…year within the first 28 days of their life in Brazil, with most deaths occurring in the first seven days after birth. Previous studies suggest that one of the most effective ways to prevent such deaths are home visiting programs, which support mothers in the first weeks of infant's lives, promote breastfeeding and kangaroo mother care, and ensure appropriate medical care when needed [2][3][4][5][6].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Survive and Thrive in Brazil: The Boa Vista Early Childhood Program: Study protocol of a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial

Brentani

Ferrer

Bessa

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that early life health and developmental outcomes can be improved through parental support programs. The objective of this project was to test the feasibility, impact, and relative cost-effectiveness of an adapted “Reach Up and Learn” program delivered through home visiting programs as well as through center-based parenting groups on child health and development in the municipality of Boa Vista, Brazil. Methods: A randomized stepped wedge design was used to roll out and evaluate the two parenting platforms in Boa Vista municipality. A total of 39 neighborhoods with high vulnerability index were selected for the study. For the first phase of the program, 9 neighborhoods were randomly selected for home visits, and 2 were randomly selected for the center-based parenting groups. In the second phase of the program, 10 neighborhoods were added to the home visiting program, and 8 were added to the center-based program. In the final phase of the program, the remaining 10 control areas will also be assigned to treatment. Study eligibility will be assessed through a baseline survey completed by all pregnant women in the 39 study areas. Pregnant women will be eligible to participate in the study if they are either classified as poor, were under age 20 when they became pregnant, or if they indicate to have been exposed to domestic or sexual violence. To assess program impact, an endline survey will be conducted when children reach age 2. The primary study outcome is child development at age 2 as measured by the PRIDI instrument. Secondary outcome will be infant mortality, which will be assessed linking municipal vital registration systems to the program rollout. Discussion: This trial will assess the feasibility and impact of parenting programs rolled out at medium scale. The results from trial should create evidence urgently needed for guiding Brazil’s national Criança Feliz program as well as similar efforts in other countries.

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Lower mortality is observed among low birth weight young infants who have received home-based care by female community health volunteers in rural Nepal

Cited by 18 publications

References 15 publications

Improving post-partum family planning services provided by female community health volunteers in Nepal: a mixed methods study

Improving post-partum family planning services provided by female community health volunteers in Nepal: a mixed methods study

Factors associated with child health service delivery by female community health volunteers in Nepal: Findings from a national survey

Survive and Thrive in Brazil: The Boa Vista Early Childhood Program: Study protocol of a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial

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