Question

Identify three factors found in Washington Heights in BRONX, NY that may contribute to illness during the childbearing/childrearing period. Give specific strategies that may help combat the negative factors identified.

Answer 1

Three factors are-

1) Reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality- Mother is the primary care giver of child , so death of the mother affects child bearing.

2)Birth defects- Birth defects like Cleft lip, cleft palate, club foot , anencephaly, spina bifida , cerebral palsy also affects child bearing.

3) Poverty- In Washington there are so many people having low socioeconomic status. Poverty also affects child bearing.

Strategies are-

1) Take care of maternal health during antenatal period such as,

• good nutritious food should be given, •regular health check up should be done, •immunisation should be completed.

• Participation of safe motherhood program.

2)Some Birth defects can be corrected through surgery. And the birth defects of a child having cerebral palsy should be beared as a special child to make him useful to society.

3) Reduction of poverty, providing appropriate nutrition to the child also help to prevent illness during child bearing/ rearing.