EVALUATION OF THE HOME-BASED MATERNAL RECORD - A WHO COLLABORATIVE STUDY

Thirteen centres in eight countries (Egypt, India, Pakistan, Philippin es, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Democratic Yemen and Zambia) participated in t he WHO collaborative study to evaluate the home-based maternal record (HBMR). The evaluation showed that use of the HBMR had a favourable im pact on utilization of health care services and continuity of the heal th care of women during their reproductive period. When adapted to loc al risk conditions, their cut-off points and the available resources, the HBMR succeeded in promoting self-care by mothers and their familie s and in enhancing the timely identification of at-risk cases that nee ded referral and special care. The introduction of the HBMR increased the diagnosis and referral of at-risk pregnant women and newborn infan ts, improved family planning and health education, led to an increase in tetanus toxoid immunization, and provided a means of collecting hea lth information in the community. The HBMR was liked by mothers, commu nity health workers and other health care personnel because, by using it, the mothers became more involved in looking after their own health and that of their babies. Apart from local adaptation of the HBMR, th e training and involvement of health personnel (including those at the second and tertiary levels) from the start of the HBMR scheme influen ced its success in promoting maternal and child health care. It also i mproved the collection of community-based data and the linking of refe rral networks.