Effectiveness of Targeted Interventions and Antenatal Care on Health Outcomes Among Pregnant Women Attending DMCH Program in Chickballapur District, Karnataka

A major challenge to safe motherhood is undernourishment in India. As per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS), more than half of the Indian women of reproductive age are malnourished. These deficiencies hamper the growth of the child, cause complications that are preventable or may even lead to maternal or neonatal deaths. Realizing the importance of maternal nutrition, the Government of India has rolled out various interventions and schemes to tackle the deficiency through support, awareness and monetary help. To further strengthen and streamline the cause, the government has permitted NGOs and social impact institutions to partner in maternal and child health care services for targeted intervention viz. antenatal services, awareness campaigns, providing supplements etc. However, the implications of NGO supported targeted approaches are not well studied. The study proposes to conduct a pilot to look into the interventions of the Divine Mother & Child Health (DMCH) Program launched by the Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust in Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka using Randomized Control Trials (RCTs).

While the control arm will receive the standard care facilities available at PHCs, the treatment arm will receive multi-nutrient supplements (product therapeutics) provided by the NGO. The study aims to evaluate the degree of anemia and levels of micronutrients in pregnant women receiving (a) standard care, (b) multi-nutrient supplements. A nested trial within the treatment group will also study the effect of nudges (using diaries or a calendar) on adherence to multi-nutrient supplement intake.