This study looked at how community health workers (ASHAs) and traditional birth attendants (Dais) influence maternal and newborn care in rural Bihar, India. ASHAs mainly supported mothers during pregnancy and labor, helping increase antenatal visits and institutional deliveries. Dais had more influence after birth, promoting traditional practices like newborn massage. When both … [Read more...] about Coexisting traditional and biomedical healthcare systems: a mixed-methods analysis of community health workers and traditional birth attendants’ contributions to perinatal health behaviors in rural India
Perinatal care
Lived experiences in action: Relations between community health workers’ and clients’ perinatal health behaviours in India
Community health workers (ASHAs) in India play a big role in guiding mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. This study looked at whether the personal choices ASHAs make about their own pregnancies influence the advice and practices of the women they support. Surveying 400 ASHAs and 1,166 mothers in Bihar, the study found that when ASHAs followed recommended health practices … [Read more...] about Lived experiences in action: Relations between community health workers’ and clients’ perinatal health behaviours in India
Utilizing Perinatal Patient Navigation to Address Self-Identified Social Determinants of Health in Pregnancy
Maternal health issues, particularly among non-Hispanic Black women, remain a challenge in the U.S. despite medical advancements. Disparities stem from various factors, including community, hospital, provider, and patient influences. Community-based care navigation, using patient navigators and community health workers, has been effective in improving maternal healthcare by … [Read more...] about Utilizing Perinatal Patient Navigation to Address Self-Identified Social Determinants of Health in Pregnancy
Perinatal CHW Toolkit
The Perinatal CHW Toolkit is designed to help community health workers (CHWs) improve perinatal health in their communities. CHWs are trusted members of the community who connect individuals with health and social services, facilitating access to care and enhancing the quality of service delivery. They also empower families by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency … [Read more...] about Perinatal CHW Toolkit
Perinatal Community Health Workers: Lessons From California
Increasing access to perinatal community health workers (CHWs) is seen as a solution to disparities in maternal outcomes. These CHWs offer support throughout the perinatal period, including prenatal and postpartum care, crucial for those facing socioeconomic or systemic barriers. The US government's new Transforming Maternal Health Model aims to expand access to perinatal CHWs, … [Read more...] about Perinatal Community Health Workers: Lessons From California