Impact of HRP research in maternal and perinatal care: a case-study

Overview

The work of HRP on maternal and perinatal health between 2003 and 2007 included trials on the prevention and management of pre-eclampsia, an assessment of the maternal and neonatal consequences of female genital mutilation and scaling-up of a new approach to antenatal care. The last activity – the WHO antenatal care model for translating evidence-based interventions into policy and practice – combined work on best practices, safe motherhood and control of sexually transmitted infections, and is relevant for low-income countries in which maternal health must be improved [Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5)].

METHODS: Publications, technical reports, ‘grey’ literature and a site visit to Thailand provided the basis for evaluating the new approach in operation. Meetings with policy-makers, health-care providers and mothers and an e-mail questionnaire to elicit expert opinion provided information on experiences, potential barriers and facilitators of use of the model.