Navneet: a community based intervention on postpartum maternal and infant care
Introduction The year after childbirth brings numerous challenges for both women and infants. Women experience physical recovery, manage childcare responsibilities, deal with uncertain fertility patterns, and face economic pressures. Infants, particularly those born with low birth weight, are highly dependent on their caregivers, undergoing rapid growth and development while also facing increased risks of illness and mortality. In rural-tribal communities of Southern Rajasthan, ARTH survey of postpartum women found a significant prevalence of maternal anemia. Postpartum contraception presents further complexities due to unpredictable fertility return and breastfeeding’s impact on contraceptive safety. Current efforts focus mainly on providing long-acting methods like Copper-T immediately after childbirth. Additionally, postpartum depression affects many women, with 15.8% of those studied by ARTH experiencing it within 6–8 weeks of delivery. To address these gaps in postpartum care, ARTH introduced the Navneet intervention with the goal to improve the health outcomes of both mothers and infants in these rural communities. Objectives of the intervention:: The Navneet Intervention is being implemented in 4 blocks of Ud aipur and Rajsamand districts, with an estimated population of 5 lakhs, focusing on rural-tribal communities of Southern Rajasthan. The intervention follows a continuum of care model, extending from pregnancy through to one year postpartum. It involves multiple interactions with women during the postpartum period, including home visits by community mobilizers, phone calls from call center counselors, and subsidized routine clinic visits. The intervention focuses on following key areas: Key activities Timeline: Results: No. of villages covered 247 Estimated population 314,602 No of births/thousand (@20/yr) 6292 No. of women registered 4094 (65.1%) No. of women contacted at least once after delivery 3286 (80.3%)