Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition to Reduce Wasting in Urban Informal Settlements of Mumbai, India: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

The study evaluated the establishment and effectiveness of community resource centers designed to improve the health of women and children in Mumbai's informal settlements. It utilized a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 40 clusters, half of which received the intervention. This intervention included services such as maternal and neonatal healthcare, child health and nutrition support, reproductive health education, and violence prevention initiatives.

Activities involved home visits, group meetings, day care services, community events, and collaboration with local services. Results showed significant improvements in family planning, immunization rates, and a reduction in childhood wasting in the intervention groups, indicating the intervention's effectiveness in addressing health disparities in informal settlements.

Community organizers played a crucial role by conducting home visits, facilitating group meetings, and providing direct services and referrals. They collaborated closely with local government services to enhance outreach and service delivery. The study found that these activities increased awareness and utilization of health services, improved health behaviors, and led to better health outcomes for women and children. The intervention proved to be cost-effective and had a positive impact on community health and well-being. This model's success suggests it could be scaled up and adapted for other urban informal settlements in Asia and Africa, providing a sustainable solution to health disparities in these areas.