EVALUATION OF ANTENATAL CARE CAMP SERVICES FOR DETECTION OF HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES AND REFERRAL OUTCOMES IN AN URBAN FIELD PRACTICE AREA: A COMMUNITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Main Article Content
Keywords
ANC camp; High-risk pregnancy; Referral linkage; Information education communication; Program evaluation; Maternal health
Abstract
Background: Antenatal care (ANC) camps enhance maternal health services by enabling early identification of high-risk pregnancies, providing essential investigations, focused counseling, and timely referrals. Assessing these camp-based service delivery models is crucial for understanding their effectiveness and suitability in regular health system contexts.
Methods: A retrospective evaluation examined the effectiveness of the Swasth Naari Shashakth Parivar Abhiyana ANC camp model by reviewing records from a one-day ANC camp in an urban field practice area of Chitradurga Medical College and Research Institute(CMCRI), Chitradurga, Karnataka . The analysis included ANC registers, laboratory reports, referral documents, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to extract data on high-risk pregnancy detection, referral linkages, beneficiary satisfaction, and informed consent understanding. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess variable associations.
Results: A study involving 61 pregnant women indicated that 35 participants (57.4%) had high-risk conditions, primarily anemia in 31 women (50.8%). Of the high-risk women, 32 (91.4%) were referred to higher health facilities, with 32 (84.2%) completing the referral. Satisfaction with camp services was high, with 50 beneficiaries (82.0%) either highly satisfied or satisfied. Informed consent understanding was complete for 49 participants (80.3%), and receiving IEC counselling was significantly linked to higher satisfaction (χ² = 8.91, p = 0.003).
Conclusion: The Swasth Naari Shashakth Parivar Abhiyana ANC camp model effectively identified high-risk pregnancies and provided patient-centred antenatal services, emphasizing structured counselling and ethical service delivery to enhance primary care ANC.
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