Background

Maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Pakistan are often compromised by resource constraints, inadequate access to healthcare services, and financial barriers that limit the availability of essential prenatal supplements. The OPTIMA Prenatal Regimen was developed as an economically optimized solution to address these challenges, aiming to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes while minimizing costs.

Objective

This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the OPTIMA Prenatal Regimen in improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes among economically disadvantaged populations in Pakistan, specifically at Liaquat University Hospital.

Methodology

A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2023 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Liaquat University Hospital. A total of 500 pregnant women were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (OPTIMA Prenatal Regimen) or the control group (standard prenatal care). Maternal and neonatal outcomes, as well as economic data, were collected and analyzed. Key outcomes included the incidence of anemia, maternal and neonatal mortality, birth weight, and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

Results

The OPTIMA Prenatal Regimen significantly reduced the incidence of anemia at delivery (18% vs. 31%, p < 0.01) and increased mean hemoglobin levels (11.4 g/dL vs. 10.8 g/dL, p < 0.01) compared to standard care. Neonatal outcomes were also improved, with higher mean birth weights (3.2 kg vs. 2.9 kg, p < 0.01) and a lower incidence of low birth weight (12% vs. 22%, p < 0.01). The economic analysis demonstrated that the OPTIMA regimen was more cost-effective, with a lower average cost per healthy birth (PKR 18,000 vs. PKR 21,000) and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of PKR 22,500 per additional healthy birth.

Conclusion

The OPTIMA Prenatal Regimen significantly improves maternal and neonatal health outcomes while offering a cost-effective solution for economically disadvantaged populations in Pakistan. These findings support the potential for wider adoption of the OPTIMA regimen across Pakistan's healthcare system to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and improve overall health outcomes in resource-limited settings.