Given these positive effects, we make the case for further investment in CCT programmes for maternal and newborn health, noting gaps in knowledge and providing recommendations for better design and evaluation of such programmes. The programmes have not had a significant impact on fertility while the impact on maternal and newborn mortality has not been well-documented thus far. The CCT programmes have increased antenatal visits, skilled attendance at birth, delivery at a health facility, and tetanus toxoid vaccination for mothers and reduced the incidence of low birthweight. We carried out a systematic review of studies on CCT that report maternal and newborn health outcomes, including studies from 8 countries. Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes have been shown to increase health service utilization among the poorest but little is written on the effects of such programmes on maternal and newborn health. Further, skilled birth attendance and the use of antenatal care are most inequitably distributed in maternal and newborn health interventions in low- and middle-income countries.
According to UNICEF, 60 million women give birth outside of health facilities, and family planning needs are satisfied for only 50%. However, the slow decline in maternal and newborn mortality jeopardizes achievements of the targets of MDGs.
Maternal and newborn health (MNH) is a high priority for global health and is included among the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
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