COMMUNITY CONTACT PERSONS PROMOTE UTILIZATION OF OBSTETRIC SERVICES, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Preliminary studies: Focus group discussions revealed delay in seeking and reaching emergency care as a factor contributing to maternal mort ality in Njikoka Local Government Area. Interventions: After obstetric services at local hospitals had been upgraded, 48 community contact p ersons were recruited. They were trained to improve community awarenes s of obstetric complications and to facilitate referral of women with complications. They were responsible for establishing links with pregn ant women, improving access to transport, and mobilizing the community to donate blood. Results: Over 18 months, community contact persons r eferred 18 women with major obstetric complications for treatment at h ealth facilities. Fifty-two pregnant women were referred for other rea sons. A total of 129 women were assisted by the community contact pers ons. This number declined sharply over time, from 60 in the first half of 1994 to 16 in the first half of 1995. Costs: The community contact persons intervention cost approximately US $635, with 64% coming from project funds, 25% from government and 11% from the community. Conclu sions. Community contact persons can perform a valuable role in facili tating referral of women with obstetric complications and supporting h ealth education activities. (C) 1997 International Federation of Gynec ology and Obstetrics.