Impact of the Community-Integrated Model of Samrakshan on Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity in Guna District of Central India

Abstract Aim  The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the community-integrated Samrakshan model on perinatal mortality and morbidity in the Guna district of Central India Methods  The trimester-specific Samrakshan protocols were used to screen pregnant women in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and to stratify risk for preterm preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the screened population. Low-dose aspirin was recommended for women identified at high risk in the first trimester screening. Fifty training programs were conducted over the duration of the program for district health workers including Anganwadi workers, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) personnel, and women and child health staff. Data on the development of PE, stages of FGR, preterm births (PTBs), birthweight, neonatal mortality, and perinatal mortality were collected and compared with the baseline year to assess trends. Results  The program covered 168 Anganwadi centers and screened 1,021 women in the first trimester, 870 women in the second trimester, and 811 women in the third trimester of pregnancy from 2019 to 2022 and obtained details on childbirth outcomes from 1,219 women. PE did not occur in 71.58% of pregnant women identified at high risk for PE and occurred in only 2.37% of pregnant women identified at low risk for PE. The incidence of PE reduced from 9.36 to 1.61%, stage 1 FGR from 18.71 to 11.83%, PTB from 19.49 to 11.25%, and birthweight less than 2,500 g from 33.66 to 21.46% from 2019 to 2022. The neonatal mortality rate reduced from 26 to 7.47/1,000 live births from 2019 to 2022 and the perinatal mortality rate reduced from 33.90 to 18.87/1,000 childbirths from 2019 to 2022 in the Samrakshan program area at Guna. Conclusion  The community-integrated model of Samrakshan in the Guna district has led to a significant reduction in perinatal morbidity and mortality in the program area.