Integrated maternal and infant health care in the postpartum period in a poor neighborhood in Santiago, Chile

An integrated postpartum health-care program was established by the Consult orio San Luis de Huechuraba (CSLH), a nongovernmental organization in a nei ghborhood of extreme poverty in Santiago, Chile. The main components were e ducation, maternal and infant health care, support for the mothers, and act ive participation of women from the community served. The program was evalu ated through indicators of contraceptive use, breastfeeding performance inf ant growth and health, and a qualitative assessment of women's satisfaction . Controls were women of similar characteristics attending the nearby publi c clinic. Acceptability of contraceptive methods was similar but contracept ive options differed between clinics. The total number of pregnancies and o f respondents lost to follow-up was significantly higher for the public cli nic than for the CSLH. Breastfeeding duration was significantly longer and infant growth and health were found to be significantly better at the CSLH than at the public clinic. Women valued being treated with respect, receivi ng education and support, and being offered timesaving services and wider c ontraceptive choices at the CSLH. This study demonstrates that such interve ntions are possible for poor communities, providing significant advantages for women and children.