Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Poor nutrition in pregnancy is a common cause of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Cash transfer support programs for impoverished and nutritionally vulnerable pregnant mothers positively impact maternal and fetal health, decrease the prevalence of low birth weight, and reduce infant mortality rates…The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a cash transfer program on the weight gain and anemia status of pregnant mothers, as well as the birth weight and growth rate of their infants in Iran. METHODS: A retrospective field trial study was conducted in 4 regions of Iran: Ardabil, Jiroft, Kerman, and Abadan. Of pregnant mothers, 432 were randomly selected and placed into two groups: the cash transfer (intervention) and the eligible non-supported (control group). The intervention group received 250,000 Toman (approximately 21 USD) cash transfers every two months, from the fourth month of pregnancy to sixth months after giving birth. Maternal age, education, and occupation, the occupation of the household head, pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal weight gain, and hemoglobin levels at the 4th and 8th months of pregnancy, birth weight, infants' head circumference and weight trends at 2, 4, and 6 months were recorded. Chi-square, paired t-test, and repeated measurement ANOVA were used by IBM SPSS. RESULTS: Maternal hemoglobin levels significantly decreased in both groups by the 8th month of pregnancy compared to the 4th month. The prevalence of anemia increased in both groups, but the increase was significantly smaller in the intervention group (32.5% vs. 42.2%, p = 0.024). Undesirable weight gain was reduced in both groups, with a more significant reduction in the intervention group (36.0% vs. 50.5%, p = 0.042). Birth weight (3056.9 ± 492.2 gr vs. 2921.3 ± 505.5 gr) and weight at 2 months (4946.2 ± 868.8 gr vs. 4697.2 ± 947.3 gr) were significantly higher in the cash transfer group compared to the control group (p = 0.005). The interaction between time and group on infant weight gain was statistically significant (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a cash transfer program can lead to improved weight gain during pregnancy, more appropriate birth weights for infants, and better weight gain at 2 months. Given the positive impact of cash transfer programs on maternal and child health indicators, further studies are needed to address the challenges faced by these support programs.