Community-based health education: a pilot module on maternal and child health for public health students in Pakistan

Maternal and child health (MCH) plays a critical role in the development of nations, with the well-being of mothers and children being essential for societal progress. Despite efforts, Pakistan continues to face high maternal and child mortality rates. Recognizing the potential of universities in improving community health through outreach programs, this project aims to develop, implement and evaluate a community-based education module in MCH for bachelor of public health students. This manuscript presents the process of CBE module development on MCH. Led by a team with expertise in maternal and child health, medical education, and curriculum development, the module was created using the PARE framework (Preparation, Action, Reflection, and Evaluation) for community-based course planning. The module content development process entailed an extensive review of curricula from both Pakistani and international universities, alongside baseline surveys with community mothers, consultations with faculty members and health department officials, and assessments of student needs. The resulting 124-page module comprehensively addresses prevailing maternal and child health challenges in Pakistan. Structured into two main chapters on (1) maternal health and (2) child health, each chapter is further divided into six sub-chapters. It covers nutrition, health conditions, healthcare service utilization, sanitation, and hygiene issues relevant to MCH. In the next phase, the project initiates faculty and student training sessions to facilitate module implementation in community settings, followed by a year-long deployment within target communities. In the last phase, evaluation of the CBE module will be gauged through pre- and post-test analyses of community and student data. This endeavor heralds a pioneering initiative in Pakistan, epitomizing the integration of community-based education and university partnerships to enhance the educational experience of public health students. Plans are underway to expand this initiative to other universities across Punjab province, ensuring its sustainability and scalability for broader community impact.