Setting up women’s support groups in poor areas can make a dramatic difference to the welfare of mothers and their babies, researchers reported today.
The groups aim to get young women to talk between themselves about pregnancy, childbirth and raising children.
A study, reported in The Lancet today, says setting up groups nearly halved death rates among new-born babies. The findings are reported as the world marks International Women’s Day.
They also cut rates of depression among new mothers.
British and Indian researchers have worked on the project in two poor states in eastern India, Jharkand and Orissa since 2005. More than 40 per cent of babies die at birth in these regions.
After three years, the researchers were able to report that more than 50 per cent of young women were taking part in the project.
The women were encouraged to work out their own solutions to problems such as improving hygiene and dealing with other problems of pregnancy, childbirth and care of babies.
Dr Nirmala Nair, of the Indian organisation Ekjut, said: "It was crucial that the women were allowed to think thought through the issues and implement their own strategies to tackle them, rather than us telling them what to do.
"We believe that a trained facilitator who supports informed peer learning is more effective for lasting behaviour change than a traditional instructor/learner approach."
Professor Anthony Costello, of University College London, UK, said: "There was a move away from harmful practices such as giving birth in unclean environments and delaying breastfeeding.
"We saw significant improvements in areas such as basic hygiene by birth attendants, clean cord care and women responding earlier to care needs."
Funding for the project came from the Wellcome Trust, the UK Big Lottery Fund and the British government’s department for international development.
The researchers also report on a similar project in Bangladesh where the approach was not successful – suggesting it may not work everywhere.
Tripathy, P et al. Effect of participatory intervention with women’s groups on birth outcomes and maternal depression in Jharkhand and Orissa, India: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet; e-pub 8 Mar 2010.
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