Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Integrated Group Postpartum and Well-child Care Model on Maternal and Child Health Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated group postpartum and well-child care model compared to the usual individual care for mothers and their infants. The study aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during the first year after birth and provide insights to enhance health service delivery in low-resource settings. This cluster randomized controlled trial is conducted in 16 clinics in Zomba District, Malawi. The study compares group care, where 8-10 women and their infants born within one month meet together for integrated health sessions, with usual individual care. Group care sessions last 120 minutes and include self-assessments, clinical health checks, and interactive health promotion activities. These sessions occur six times, aligned with the Malawian vaccination schedule at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months postpartum. Participants will be involved in data collection at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to assess outcomes such as postpartum depression, infant immunization rates, breastfeeding, maternal and infant nutrition, anxiety, growth, and mortality. The study also includes interviews to explore social and health needs and barriers to group care. Monitoring includes clinical assessments, surveys, and point-of-care tests over the first year postpartum.

Group Postpartum and Well-Child Care for Maternal and Infant Health