Appropriate technology in primary health care for better midwifery services
Shah, K.P.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India 30(1): 109-114
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0971-9202 PMID: 12336896 Document Number: 154446
Focus is on the various improvised techinques devised for better delivery of midwifery services for an entire community. The various technological devices described were worked out for the 1st time and subsequently implemented in the entire area of 60 program villages of Primary Health Center, Kasa in India during 1974-1976. The Integrated Mother-Child Health-Nutrition Project, Kasa had a population of 56,364 in the program villages. About 19% of the population were women in the reproductive age group of 15-45 years. The following improvised and simplified field techniques assisted the health workers in the maintenance of surveillance, community diagnosis and community management including a diferrent system of referral: 1) a mother's card which provided menstrual registry, information on pregnancies and their outcome, and help in identifying cases for family planning; 2) tri-colored arm tape for assessing nutritional status of women; 3) surveillance system on at-risk pregnant women; 4) anemiometer for identification of mild or severe anemia without pricking for blood; and 5) a very small midwife's kit for conducting safe deliveries. These techniques have been tried out in a wider area, and the results have been promising.