Optimizing Health Before Pregnancy: Evaluating the Feasibility of Community-Based Preconception Care Package in Rural Central India

Preconception care is a vital part of maternal and child health that is currently underserved in the healthcare system of India. Before implementing an intervention, it is first important to understand the need, and then provide an opportunity to meet those needs in a compelling way to improve a mutually beneficial outcome, such as a healthy mother and baby in case of preconception care. The study is intended to be conducted in 10 villages in rural central India to test the feasibility of a preconception care package in a community-based setting. The RE-AIM framework guided study will be implemented through a Social Franchising approach in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine of a tertiary care hospital. The Franchisor will be providing technical support using its existing staff, while the Franchisee, the respective village council, will provide minimal resources required to implement such initiatives at the village level. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives would be primary package providers, and social workers would be needed to present the idea. The trial aims to determine the 'felt need,' feasibility of implementation, and community acceptance of preconception care in a rural Indian context, and will guide future implementation trials on community-based delivery of preconception care to ensure that women enter pregnancy in good health.