Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112982

Rajanikant S. Arole, MBBS, MPH¹, Yoseph Pandit¹, Shobha Arole, MBBS¹, and Connie Gates, MPH². (1) Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), PO, Jamkhed, Dist. Ahmednagar, 413 201, India, (2) Jamkhed International Foundation, PO Box 291, Carrboro, NC 27510, 919-270-5977, connie@jamkhed.org

Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), Jamkhed, India, has been a pioneer in the principles and practice of community-based primary health care since 1970. Sustained impact has been dramatic on health status and general well being, especially for women, poor and marginalized. Key is developing the capacity of communities. Root causes are addressed, such as poverty, caste system, women's status, harmful traditional practices. CRHP helps communities by giving them ‘tools' that enable them to help themselves. Primary agents of change are the village health workers (VHWs), who are selected by their communities. They are trained by CRHP in a variety of health topics as well as other development issues, with focus on personal development and relationships within the community. Their main role is health education. CRHP facilitates organizing groups, which identify needs, analyze problems, and develop appropriate solutions, building community that works together. Gradually VHWs and other leaders provide the guidance. CRHP gains the trust of the villagers, gathers persons from all walks of life around common interests, and provides referral health care. Economic development is an important component. Social and cultural issues are addressed through the community groups. Community members learn skills and knowledge about how to prevent diseases and detect early and treat common problems, including safe deliveries (mainly at home). VHWs provide some health care. This presentation shares data from house-to-house surveys conducted by staff and villagers of 16 villages (18,000 pop.), with initial analysis results: 26.9 IMR, 0 MMR, 90% immunization, 100% safe deliveries.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the factors that make for a successful CBPHC program

Keywords: Community Capacity, Community-Based Health Promotion

Related Web page: www.jamkhed.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.