فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: To ascertain the effectiveness of a collaborative model between the Departmentof Community Medicine and state health department to improve MCH outcomes among the urbanpoor in Chandigarh.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi‑experimental study was conducted from 2011–12 to 2015–16in the intervention and control areas. A collaboration was established between the state healthdepartment and the Department of Community Medicine of an autonomous institute. The interventionand control areas were mainly inhabited by the poor migrant population. Critical elements of an efficientcollaboration such as the early engagement of partners, clearly stated purpose with common goals,effective communication, and no financial conflict were implemented in the intervention area. MCHprogram’s implementation was strengthened through supportive supervision, enhanced communityengagement, male partner involvement, tracking of high‑risk pregnant women, and identification ofproblem families. Trend analysis of MCH indicators was done. The difference‑in‑difference (DID)analysis was done to measure the net effect of the intervention.RESULTS: All the MCH indicators improved significantly in the intervention area compared to thecontrol area (P < 0.05). DID analysis depicted a net increase in the early registration of pregnanciesby 18%, tetanus toxoid immunization by 9.2%, and fully immunized children by 8.6%. There was alsoan improvement in the maternal mortality ratio by 121.1 points, infant mortality rate by 2.2 points,and neonatal mortality rate by 2.6 points in the intervention area.CONCLUSION: An innovative, collaborative model between the state health department and theDepartment of Community Medicine effectively improved the MCH outcomes in Chandigarh.