Control arm

Focus is to increase the number of visits by LHWs to the newborn baby and to ensure that this visit occurs within 48-72 hours of birth. The purpose of this visit was the provision of postpartum maternal and immediate newborn care, including postpartum visit, maternal nutrition supplementation, cord care, eye care, Kangaroo Care, delayed bathing, colostrum administration and linkages to immunization services), complications/illness management through stabilization/referral of cases.

A comprehensive package of intervention will be developed for the mothers and newborn infants which will be comprised of;

1. Provision of postpartum maternal and immediate newborn care, including postpartum visit, maternal nutrition supplementation (iron & vitamin A), cord care, eye care, Kangaroo Care, delayed bathing, colostrum administration and linkages to immunization services), complications/illness management through stabilization/referral of cases.
2. Provision of Information on family planning, birth spacing, LAM counseling, hygiene, danger signs recognition and complications readiness.
3. Nutrition counseling regarding immediate and exclusive breastfeeding and optimum postpartum diets.

5. Danger signs of newborn illnesses and maternal complications associated with labor and the postpartum period, care seeking. Early referral for subsequent maternal and newborn morbidities, such as anemia, postpartum depression, fistulas, prolapsed uterus and infections.

The aim is to increase the visits of LHWs and examine the newborn within 48- 72 hours of birth