Impact of a Community-Based Education Program on Maternal and Child Health Needs in a Semi-Urban Locality: A University-Community Partnership Pilot Project

Background Pakistan faces high maternal and child mortality rates, with semi-urban and rural areas particularly affected. Community-based initiatives that emphasize local participation can address these challenges by fostering community ownership and sustainability. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based education (CBE) module, developed through a university-community partnership, in improving maternal and child health indicators in a semi-urban locality. Methods The study was conducted in four phases: Phase one included a pre-assessment survey to identify health needs among 253 women and 371 children under-five. Phase two involved developing a CBE module based on these findings with input from key stakeholders. In phase three, the module was implemented, followed by a post-assessment in phase four with 222 mothers and 318 children to evaluate intervention impact. Descriptive and repeated measures analyses were performed using SPSS version 22. Results Significant improvements were observed in child growth indicators, including height, weight, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. The prevalence of malnutrition decreased from 28–6%, with complete treatment of severely acute malnutrition cases. Maternal body mass index improved significantly, although maternal anemia remained unchanged. Improvements were also seen in water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, with increased use of filtered, boiled water, and safe storage. Family planning awareness and joint decision-making regarding contraception improved, with reduction in service access barriers. Conclusions The findings demonstrate the CBE module’s effectiveness in improving maternal and child health indicators in semi-urban settings. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of collaborative decision-making in designing strategies that ensures the long-term sustainability and scalability of CBE modules. Such approaches are crucial for addressing persistent health challenges in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan, where community-based interventions can play a vital role in improving health outcomes.