Case study

Reducing Prevalence of Anemia in Pregnant Women: Applying Quality Improvement Approach to Improve Community Level Health and Nutrition Services

22 Jan 24
Topic(s): Maternal Nutrition, Micronutrient Supplementation
Location: India
Language(s): English
Audience: Health and service providers, Policy makers and legislators, Program designers and implementers
Organization: Alive & Thrive
Programs: Policy advocacy
Downloadable PDF(s)

Substantial evidence suggests that community-based interventions are an important platform for improving healthcare delivery and that timely testing and appropriate management of anemia can improve health and nutrition outcomes. Although anemia prevalence is high in India’s Bihar state, detection and adequate management of anemia in pregnant women remain weak, resulting in poor pregnancy and newborn outcomes. This case study describes a successful pilot supported by Alive & Thrive India (A&T) in one of the blocks in Bodh Gaya in Bihar's Gaya district, applying the point of care continuous quality improvement (POCQI) approach for strengthening community-level management of anemia in pregnant women. After the rollout of the pilot, the proportion of mild to moderately anemic pregnant women receiving and adhering to the therapeutic treatment increased from zero to 70% in the target population. Also, the percentage of mild and moderately anemic pregnant women in the target population declined from 65% in June 2022 at baseline to 18% in October 2022.

 
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