Community health workers can improve child growth of antenatally-depressed, South African mothers: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maternal antenatal depression has long-term consequences for children's health. We examined if home visits by community health workers (CHW) can improve growth outcomes for children of mothers who are antenatally depressed.

Methods

A cluster randomized controlled trial of all pregnant, neighbourhood women in Cape Town, South Africa. Almost all pregnant women (98 %, N = 1238) were recruited and assessed during pregnancy, two weeks post-birth (92 %) and 6 months post-birth (88 %). Pregnant women were randomized to either: 1) Standard Care (SC), which provided routine antenatal care; or 2) an intervention, The Philani Intervention Program (PIP), which included SC and home visits by CHW trained as generalists (M = 11 visits). Child standardized weight, length, and wei

SUBMITTER: Tomlinson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4581418 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature