PEER SUPPORT GROUPS AND NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN IN RURAL FARMING COMMUNITIES, A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Keywords:
Apgar Score, Maternal Nutrition, Mental Health, Nutritional Counseling, Peer Support, Pregnancy, Rural Population.Abstract
Background: Maternal undernutrition, limited dietary awareness, and psychosocial stress remain persistent challenges in rural farming communities. Integrating peer-based social support with structured nutritional counseling may strengthen maternal health by addressing both informational and emotional needs during pregnancy.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of combined peer support groups and nutritional counseling on maternal nutrition, birth outcomes, and postpartum mental health among pregnant women in rural South Punjab.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted over twelve months involving 240 pregnant women allocated to an intervention group receiving bi-weekly peer support sessions and monthly nutritional counseling, or a control group receiving standard antenatal care. Assessments included mid-upper arm circumference, gestational weight gain, 24-hour dietary recall, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores, and postpartum mental health using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and GAD-7. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and analysis of covariance.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated higher caloric intake (2140 ± 310 kcal vs. 1985 ± 295 kcal), greater gestational weight gain (9.2 ± 2.1 kg vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 kg), and improved mid-upper arm circumference (25.4 ± 2.8 cm vs. 23.9 ± 3.0 cm). Mean birth weight was higher in the intervention group (3065 ± 420 g vs. 2880 ± 450 g), with fewer preterm births. Postpartum depressive and anxiety scores were significantly lower in the intervention arm, indicating notable psychological benefits.
Conclusion: Integrating peer support and nutritional counseling enhanced maternal nutritional status, improved birth outcomes, and strengthened postpartum mental well-being. This model offers a feasible and scalable approach for improving maternal health in resource-constrained rural settings.
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