Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and related Behaviour Change Communication strategies in Bangladesh, Nepal and India: A narrative review

Abstract

The review was conducted to collate the evidence on the current status of "Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health" (RMNCAH) and related Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) interventions in RMNCAH in South Asia, particularly Bangladesh, Nepal and India. Methods: Literature search was conducted on multiple databases and websites in March 2019. The search was limited to English language publications. The data on health indicators for the eight South Asian countries are compared in the review. This review narratively summarises the key RMNCAH and related BCC initiatives undertaken in Bangladesh, Nepal and India. Results: The South Asian countries have achieved significant progress in socioeconomic indicators related to health aligned with the Millennium Development Goals but face a number of challenges. There has been a significant development in financial incentives, programmes and policies framed for improving indicators of maternal and child health. Various RMNCAH initiatives which impact positively on maternal and child health indicators were identified. Conclusion: Bangladesh, Nepal and India have made substantial improvement in maternal and child health indicators but at a slower pace than other countries of South Asia, in relation to which consistent disparities still exist. There are a number of BCC initiatives targeting RMNCAH. The improvement in RMNCAH indicators can be attributed to multiple initiatives wherein the contribution of BCC is relevant, because of their wide community outreach and effectiveness among all age-groups.

Community mobilization to strengthen support for appropriate and timely use of antenatal and postnatal care: A review of reviews

“…The reviews utilized varying methodologies and included: systematic reviews (n = 11), meta-analyses (n = 3), evidence reviews (n = 3), narrative review (n = 1), integrative review (n = 1), scoping review (n = 1), and general reviews/syntheses (n = 2). Reviews focused on LMIC settings globally (n = 12) [ 21 , 23 , 37 - 40 , 43 , 44 , 47 - 50 , 54 ], sub-Saharan Africa (n = 4) [ 20 , 36 , 52 , 53 ], and South Asia (n = 3) [ 46 , 51 , 55 ]. Three reviews had no geographic limitations and typically specified findings from high-, middle-, and low-income settings [ 41 , 42 , 45 ].…”

“…Most reviews focused broadly on RMNCH [ 21 , 23 , 36 , 38 - 40 , 42 - 44 , 46 - 51 , 53 , 54 ]. One review specifically focused on ANC [ 45 ], one on PNC [ 37 ], and one on both ANC and PNC [ 41 ].…”

“…In line with a range of community-related strategies, it is important to incorporate community norms and beliefs and work with community leaders in the development and implementation of IEC [ 60 ]. One example rolled out for child health in South Asia is the UNICEF Meena Communication Platform that used the animated character of “Meena”, a young South Asian girl, to communicate important health messaging in an entertaining and relatable format [ 46 , 61 ]. Adapting community mobilization strategies through the involvement of local stakeholders in the design process enables the contextualization of materials and programming [ 20 , 38 , 45 ].…”

The voice of Indian women on family planning: A qualitative systematic review

“…India, a densely and second highest populated country in the world, is in a phase of demographic and epidemiological transition. 1 To control its rising population, India felt an urgency of Family Planning (FP) program in 1952 and became one of the first countries to launch the "National Programme for Family Planning'' (NPFP). Since its launch, the NPFP has undergone various policy and implementation modifications and currently operating as part of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Adolescents Program (RMNCAH+).…”

Antenatal care among women in Chitwan district of Nepal: A cross-sectional study

“…Maternal mortality remains a major public health issue in Nepal (Aryal & Shrestha, 2020;Darney, Nakamura-Pereira, Regan, Serur, & Thapa, 2020;Pasa, Giri, & Nabita, 2020). Lack of access to basic maternal health care, difficult geographical terrain, poorly developed transportation, communication, poverty, illiteracy, low status of women in society, political conflict, poor health, and social workers are calling into question the improvement of maternal health in Nepal (Casebolt, 2020;Parsekar, Pundir, & Bevilacqua, 2020). Maternal mortality is one of the main indicators of the availability and use of reproductive health care.…”