Using Postnatal Checklists to Increase Health-Seeking Behaviors

McConnell M, Ettenger A, Rothschild CW, Muigai F, Cohen J

Since the 2009 WHO and UNICEF recommendation that women receive home-based postnatal care within the first three days after birth, a growing number of low-income countries have explored integrating postnatal home visit interventions into their maternal and newborn health strategies.

This randomized trial evaluates a pilot program in which community health workers (CHWs) visit or call new mothers three days after delivery in peri-urban Kiambu County, Kenya.

Key Takeaways:

  • CHW-administered postnatal checklists can lead to better recognition of postnatal problems and more timely care-seeking.

  • CHWs can affordably deliver many of the benefits of postnatal checklists.

PublicationsAlexander WowraPostnatal Care, Publications, Community Health Workers, Health Seeking, Maternal and Neonatal Health