SARVAGRAHA – Addressing Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Pregnancy: Barriers to Maternal and Child Health
Grant Awardee: Eshita Garg
Sarvagrahawas a community-based awareness initiative designed to identify and address myths and misconceptions surrounding pregnancy and maternal and child health in the Kesla community of Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh. Aligned with Sangath’s Kushal Maa programme, the project conducted four participatory workshops w ith pregnant women, focusing on nutrition, hygiene, physical activity, breastfeeding, vaccination, and antenatal care. The workshops used evidence-based information and interactive myth-busting activities to strengthen maternal health literacy and encourage informed health-seeking practices.
Project Highlights:
Conducted four community-based workshops with pregnant women in Kesla, Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh.
Reached 29 participants at baseline, with 26 completing the post-intervention assessment.
Demonstrated a significant improvement in maternal health knowledge, with mean scores increasing from 11.31 to 13.08 out of 15 (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.59).
Knowledge improved across 14 of 15 assessment items, with the largest gains observed in areas such as postpartum hygiene, colostrum, and safe physical activity during pregnancy.
Identified key misconceptions across six areas, including nutrition, breastfeeding, hygiene, traditional birth practices, vaccination, and family influence.
97% of participants rated content delivery as excellent, while 100% found the workshop extremely useful and expressed willingness to attend again.
Generated practical learnings on the importance of family-centred, participatory, and myth-busting approaches to maternal health education.
Findings were shared through a dissemination presentation at Sangath, providing a foundation for integrating the approach into routine antenatal care and future community health programmes.