Miri: Mrs Umul-Khairi Musa, Officer in Charge of the Antenatal Clinic (ANC) at Miri Primary Healthcare Centre in Bauchi, has highlighted the impact of cohort learning in reducing pregnancy-related complications and improving child health outcomes.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, cohort learning involves a group of learners progressing through a programme or course together, sharing a similar schedule, activities, and learning path. Speaking in an interview, Musa said the structured learning approach had proven effective in educating expectant mothers on key health issues such as nutrition, danger signs during pregnancy, and newborn care.

‘We introduced the cohort learning model to ensure that pregnant women receive focused, continuous education. Since its implementation, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in complications during pregnancy,’ she explained. She added that the benefits extended beyond childbirth. ‘Babies brought in for immunisation are generally healthy and developing well for their age. This is because the learning process is interactive, organised, and allows for better engagement.’

Musa emphasised that during each session, participants were provided with pictorial materials to enhance understanding and maintain attention throughout the antenatal period. She encouraged all pregnant women to apply the knowledge gained during their sessions. ‘Every woman in our care is placed in a cohort based on her pregnancy stage. As some give birth, new ones are enrolled, it’s a continuous process,’ she said.

Musa called on more women to take full advantage of antenatal care, stressing that informed mothers were better equipped to protect their health and that of their babies.