JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Although the postpartum period poses substantial risks and can result in significant maternal morbidity and mortality, postpartum care of the mother receives much less attention in developing countries. We describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial which aims to implement and evaluate a postpartum care delivery model titled Focused-PPC. Focused-PPC is an integrated group postpartum care model that meets the clinical care, education, and support needs of mothers up to one year after birth. The Focused-PPC intervention is a parallel randomized controlled trial with a total of 192 postpartum women at 4 health centers in Tamale, Ghana. Participants will be randomized into one of two trial arms at a 1:1 allocation ratio: (1) the control arm, which receives the standard postnatal care currently delivered in health facilities, or (2) the intervention arm, which receives the Focused-PPC model of care. Women enrolled in the intervention arm will receive postpartum clinical assessments and education for the first 6 weeks, and will continue to receive education, measures of vital signs, and peer support for 12 months postpartum during child welfare visits. Led by trained midwives, each postpartum group in the intervention arm will meet at 1-2 weeks, 6 weeks, and monthly thereafter for up to 1 year postpartum following the Ghana Health Service postnatal care schedule. Focused-PPC has the potential to change the postpartum care delivery model in Ghana and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.