Impact of a Community-Based Intervention on Maternal and Neonatal Health in Flood-Affected Districts of Sindh, Pakistan: A Retrospective Pre- and Post-Intervention Study

Background: In 2022, catastrophic flooding in Sindh severely disrupted MNCH services. A community-based intervention was implemented to restore essential MNCH care and improve service utilization in flood-affected districts. Objective: To assess the impact of Community-Based Intervention on MNCH service utilization in flood-affected districts of Dadu and Khairpur by comparing pre- and post-intervention healthcare. Methods: A Retrospective pre- and post-intervention design evaluated how a community-based intervention affected maternal and neonatal health service use in the flood-affected districts of Dadu and Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan, throughout November 2022 to August 2023. The intervention took place in flood-ravaged districts of Sindh. Results: Post-intervention, MNCH service utilization increased significantly. OPD visits increased from 23,517 to 78,226, antenatal care visits from 7,905 to 34,317, and postnatal care visits from 1,115 to 3,261. Normal vaginal deliveries improved from 985 to 3,159, and full uptake of newborn and delivery kit utilization. Statistical analysis showed higher odds of utilizing MNCH OPD services (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.43-1.49, p<0.001) and increased antenatal care visits (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.24, p<0.001). Postnatal care utilization and hospital-based deliveries also improved (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.22-1.39, p<0.001), (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10-1.27, p<0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates that a community-based approach led to an increase in the number of visits to MNCH OPD for maternal and neonatal health, prenatal care, postnatal care, and hospital-based deliveries in areas affected by flooding.