Question

Write a minimum 500 word essay on "Maternal and child health"

Answer 1

Maternal and child health (MCH) refers to the health of mothers, infants, children, and adolescents. It also refers to a profession within public health committed to promoting the health status and future challenges of this vulnerable population.

One of the greatest achievements of public health in the twentieth century in the United States was the dramatic improvement in the health of mothers and babies: during this period infant mortality declined by greater than 90 percent, and maternal mortality declined by 99 percent. While improvements in living standards, educational levels, and environmental conditions have contributed most to these improvements, public health MCH programs have also played a role.

The development of these MCH programs occurred in the unique political and social landscape of the United States, where a reliance on individualism has shaped the attitude that caring for children is the parents' responsibility, and that government should step in to help only when families and communities are not able to care for their own.  Further, the dominance of the biomedical model in the United States has directed most of the monies spent on MCH to the provision of direct clinical services.

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is a ​program that is delivered through partnerships and builds on other community programs. It is a proactive, preventative and strategic approach to promoting the good health and development of on-reserve pregnant First Nations women and families with infants and young children. The program aims to reach all pregnant women and new parents, with long-term support for those families who require additional services.

A key element of the program is home visiting by nurses and family visitors (experienced mothers in the community), who provide information, support, and linkages to other services; integrating culture into care is a key aspect of the program

Four elements are essential to maternal death prevention. First, prenatal care. It is recommended that expectant mothers receive at least four antenatal visits to check and monitor the health of mother and foetus. Second, skilled birth attendance with emergency backup such as doctors, nurses and midwives who have the skills to manage normal deliveries and recognize the onset of complications. Third, emergency obstetric care to address the major causes of maternal death which are haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortion, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour. Lastly, postnatal care which is the six weeks following delivery. During this time bleeding, sepsis and hypertensive disorders can occur and newborns are extremely vulnerable in the immediate aftermath of birth. Therefore, follow-up visits by a health worker is assess the health of both mother and child in the postnatal period is strongly recommended.

Factors influencing maternal health are:

a. Poverty and access to healthcare

b. Pre-existing conditions like HIV, Maternal Weight, etc

c. Childbirth and other transmitted infections

The World Bank estimated that a total of 3.00 US dollars per person a year can provide basic family planning and both maternal and neonatal health care to women in developing countries. Many non-profit organizations have programs educating the public and gaining access to emergency obstetric care for mothers in developing countries. Increasing contraceptive usage and family planning also improves maternal health through reduction in numbers of higher risk pregnancies and by lowering the inter-pregnancy interval