Objectives
AIIKU-HAN is a community organization having a long history of involvement in maternal and child health and welfare in Japan. Its activities have been modeled in rural areas of Nge-An Province, Vietnam since 2002. This study clarifies the effect of AIIKU-HAN activities in Nge-An Province, and discusses the results in context by comparing pregnant women, who are one of the beneficiary groups of these activities, in areas with AIIKU-HAN involvement (activity areas) and areas without such involvement (non-activity areas).
Method
This study was conducted at three communes each with and without AIIKU-HAN activity areas, for a total of six communes. Structured questionnaires were used for this cross-sectional study, covering pregnant women who were more than 16 weeks pregnant. At the same time, additional information about health promotion offered to pregnant women was collected through interviews with midwives from each of the communes.
Result
Compared to pregnant women in non-activity areas, pregnant women in activity areas had more knowledge concerning health issues which arise during terms of pregnancy, performed more healt-seeking behaviors, and received more support from family members. They also referred to midwives for counseling and information more often, and were more likely to relieve their anxieties by consulting with midwives in closer area to CHC. Furthermore pregnant women in activity areas received additional social support through association with AIIKU-HAN volunteers. From interviews with midwives, we determined that the content of their advice to pregnant women in activity and non-activity areas wasn't substantially different; however IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities were more promoted in activity areas than in non-activity areas.
Conclusion
The results discuss both the direct and indirect effects of AIIKU-HAN activities. The support of AIIKU-HAN allowed pregnant women to gain more knowledge and strengthened their health behaviors directly. Indirectly, family support for pregnant women was increased by promotion of family involvement by AIIKU-HAN, and an environment in which pregnant women could more easily perform healt-seeking behaviors was fostered. AIIKU-HAN volunteers served as the pipeline between pregnant women and midwives through the collaboration of AIIKU-HAN and midwives, and the organization further contributed to good relationships between midwives and pregnant women. This collaboration also served as a stimulus for IEC activities by midwives.