Community Awareness Drives - Maternal & Newborn Health

At Preterm Infants Parents Network Uganda (PIPNU), we recognize that prevention begins at the community level. Limited awareness, delayed care-seeking, and harmful myths contribute significantly to preventable preterm births and poor maternal and newborn outcomes.

Our community awareness drives are designed to educate, engage, and mobilize communities particularly in underserved and rural areas to take informed and proactive steps toward healthier pregnancies and stronger newborn survival.

Objectives of Our Awareness Drives

Our community outreach activities aim to:

Increase understanding of preterm birth, pregnancy complications, and prevention strategies
Promote early and consistent antenatal and postnatal care
Encourage meaningful male involvement in maternal and newborn health
Reduce stigma, fear, and isolation experienced by families with preterm infants
Link communities to available health services, referrals, and support networks

Core Awareness Activities

1. Community Meetings and Door-to-Door Outreach

We conduct health education sessions in villages, places of worship, schools, and community centers to reach families where they live.

Activities include:

Community dialogues led by trained facilitators
Door-to-door visits by Village Kangaroo Ambassadors to share information and identify at-risk mothers
Engagement of local leaders to strengthen trust, participation, and sustainability

2. Radio and Television Engagement

Mass media remains a powerful tool for reaching wide and diverse audiences. Our media outreach includes:

Educational programs on local radio and television stations in local languages
Interactive call-in sessions featuring healthcare providers and parent mentors
Targeted messaging on danger signs in pregnancy, nutrition, and timely care-seeking

3. Digital and Social Media Campaigns

To reach younger populations and urban communities, we leverage digital platforms to extend awareness beyond physical outreach.

Our digital campaigns focus on:

Educational content shared through Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, X, and Instagram
Live question-and-answer sessions with health professionals and experienced parents
Sharing real-life stories to normalize preterm birth and reduce stigma

4. Community Health Fairs and Screening Camps

We organize community-based health events to combine education with practical services. These include:

Basic screenings such as blood pressure, glucose, and body mass index checks
Demonstrations of Kangaroo Mother Care and essential newborn care practices
Distribution of educational materials in local languages

5. Awareness Days and Community Events

We use global and national health days to amplify key messages and mobilize communities. These events include:

World Prematurity Day (November 17) community activities and parent-led testimonies
Kangaroo Care Awareness activities with practical demonstrations
Preeclampsia Awareness Month sessions focusing on hypertension in pregnancy

Impact of Community Awareness Drives

Through sustained community engagement, our awareness drives contribute to:

Increased uptake of antenatal and postnatal care services
Earlier identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies
Improved health knowledge and reduction of harmful myths
Stronger community support systems for vulnerable families
Greater male participation in maternal and child health