Through an award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Jhpiego is implementing a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing traditional individual antenatal care (ANC) to group-based ANC care in Kenya and Nigeria.Group-based ANC is an empowerment-based alternative service delivery model that was pioneered in the U.S.; however, experience providing group-based care in low-resource settings is limited.

Study results will inform the respective ministries of health and other developing countries about whether group-based ANC is a viable strategy to improve the quality and acceptability of ANC and increase retention in care through pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period in low-resource settings.