**7.1 Prevent preterm births**

Preventive strategies in low-income countries should focus on risk reduction and this includes preconception interventions through to interventions during pregnancy. The interventions need to be packaged and delivered through coordinated community health structures involving trained CHWs and VHTs. During preconception period, communities need to be educated and empowered to improve adolescent and preconception nutrition, strengthened family planning information, education and methods delivery system at community level; prevent gender based violence, prevention, and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at community level, preventive strategies for control of malaria infections through use of insecticide treated mosquito nets and cessation of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

During pregnancy, mothers need to be supported, monitored, and supervised by CHWs to attend ANC through multiple home visits to ensure targeted care for women with increased risk for preterm birth.
