The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63949

Shobha Arole, MBBS¹, Ramaswamy Premkumar, PhD¹, Connie Gates, MPH², and Yoseph Pandit¹. (1) Comprehensive Rural Health Project, PO Jamkhed, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, 413 201, India, 91-2421-21034, shobha@jamkhed.org, (2) Jamkhed International Foundation, PO Box 291, Carrboro, NC 27510

Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), Jamkhed, has been a pioneer in the principles and practice of community-based primary health care since 1970. Impact has been dramatic on health status, economic development and overcoming social problems. Key is developing the capacity of communities to assess their problems, analyze causes, and develop appropriate activities. The value-based approach develops caring communities, working together to overcome obstacles and solve problems.

Design: The Village Health Worker (VHW), a woman chosen by the village, is the change agent and liaison between project and community. She is a volunteer, trained by the project in a variety of health topics as well as other development issues, and focuses on personal development and relationships within the community. She provides basic health care, shares her knowledge with others, organizes and motivates the community, mobilizing local resources. She provides health education, teaches safe delivery technique, pre- and post-natal care, refers high-risk cases, and conducts home deliveries, referring complications to CRHP hospital. The community is motivated to improve the health of mothers and infants.

Methodology: Over the past few years, reproductive and infant health has been studied in 18 villages. Data is from hospital records, VHW records of their activities and village health information, with validation by the mobile health team.

Findings: Data for the period 1999-2003, with comparison to other rural India. 2001-02 data includes: CBR (21.7), perinatal mortality (17.7), IMR (14.5), preterm delivery (.2%). 79% deliveries were at home (two-thirds by family members trained by VHW).

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: Describe how a community-based primary health care program can facilitate the building of a community's capacity to improve reproductive and infant health.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Care, Maternal Health

Related Web page: www.jamkhed.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.