ASHA-led community-managed intervention programme to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with pregnancy hypertension: A study protocol.

AIM: The objective is to use the available technology in conjunction with the peripheral health workers to identify the early warning signs of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), provide appropriate referral services and closely monitor the patient thereafter with the aim of improving the prognosis of the condition.

STUDY

DESIGN

Quasi-experimental design.

METHOD: The research will be carried out in Udupi District Karnataka, India. The study will involve 250 pregnant women in total as well as 50 ASHA workers. All the participants will undergo a PIH knowledge assessment, which will be followed by a PIH risk assessment for expectant mothers. There will be an implementation of the community-managed intervention programme (CMIP). The creation of a mobile application, ongoing prenatal follow-up and training for ASHAs on mobile app usage are all part of the CMIP. The results for mothers and newborns will be monitored and to learn more about the efficacy of CMIP and the difficulties ASHA workers and expectant mothers encounter in identifying the early warning signals of PIH a focused group discussion will be held.

DISCUSSION: A number of research on pregnancy-induced hypertension have demonstrated the necessity for community-based treatments to be developed in order to improve the outcomes for expectant mothers and newborns. These programmes assist in managing hypertension throughout pregnancy. Conversely, ASHA employees have had a favourable influence on community-level health outcome management. Currently, technology is being used extensively in healthcare and is receiving favourable reception. Thus, in an effort to improve maternal and newborn outcomes, this study attempts to incorporate mobile technologies in addition to ASHA workers and pregnant women.

IMPACT: If the CMIP proves to be beneficial, it might be implemented nationwide, particularly in isolated regions, to monitor expectant mothers and avoid PIH-related concerns.