Promoting Maternal Health, Essay Example

Maternal mortality has been a significant problem in the third world. The United Nations (UN) has specifically cited the African Nations and has set a goal to reduce the mortality rate by 75% at the end of 2015.  The UN believes that many of the African Nations administrations have been ineffective with their public policies in this area. A large portion of the blame has been attributed to poorly trained health workers who lack the skills in order to provide adequate levels of care. Other identified issues include that of poor family planning, poor emergency and antenatal facilities and inadequate delivery care services. The UN believes that healthcare reforms must also include improvements in socio-economic conditions. (Taiwo O Lawoyin, 2007). A number of demographic studies carried out around the world have indicated that those children born of educated mothers have a much lower mortality rate than that of uneducated mothers.  Hence investment in women’s education is an important public policy factor in promoting maternal health. The study was carried out over 22 developing countries and the statistics illustrated a wide degree of correlation. (Alva, 1998).

In the USA, the Bureau of Labour Statistics in 2003 indicated that 51% of mothers return to work within 12 months of childbirth. This large number has given rise to concern over child welfare during the period of infancy. Research has indicated that the degree of neglect can result in both behavioural problems and cognitive development of the infant. Hence longer maternity leaves will have a more positive impact on the future health and well being of the child. One of the key issues is the financial burdens and pressures placed upon single moms in tough economic times. (Pinka Chatterji, 2005).  He World Health Organization (WHO) is one body that assists in trying to improve maternal health on a global basis. They have stated that the chief causes of concern are “The major direct causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour.” (WHO, 2011).

Prenatal care can play a considerable role in the prevention of child morbidity. There are a number of important characteristics that influence this. For example the mother’s dietary habits, not smoking or drinking during the period of pregnancy. Statistics have indicated that low birth weights have a correlation between the types of pre natal care services that are provided from different hospitals.  Thus adequate pre natal care can significantly improve birth weights, hence careful evaluation needs to be made on the quality and type of pre natal care services being provided.  Barriers in the USA have been attributed to those mothers on the poverty line and who do not get sufficient support under Medicaid. i.e. “It was observed that 20 states did not provide prenatal care under Medicaid” (Gortmaker, 1979).

The use of prenatal care has been proven to have a positive effect on improvement of birth outcomes. There still however remains a large cross-section of women in the USA that remain at risk of Low Birth Weights. Risk factors in the higher range being associated with unemployment, African/American ethnicity, low income, single marital status and smoking / substance abuse.   As such pre natal care has to factor in such items as Education, social reformation and policies that cover the less advantaged elements of society. (Fiscella, 1995)

Works Cited

Alva, S. D. (1998). Maternal Education and Child Health: Is There a Strong Causal Relationship? Demography. Vol. 35, No. 1, 71-81 .

Authority, T. W. (2009). Newborns: reducing mortality. World Health Authority Fact Sheet.

Fiscella, K. (1995). Does Prenatal care improve birth outcomes? A critical review. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 469-479.

Gortmaker, S. L. (1979). The effects of Prenatal care upon the health of the newborn. AJPH, 653-657.

Pinka Chatterji, S. M. (2005). Does the Length of Maternity Leave Affect Maternal Health? Southern Economic Journal, Vol. 72,.

Taiwo O Lawoyin, O. O. (2007). Men’s Perception of Maternal Mortality in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health Policy , 28, 299–318.

U Syed, N. K. (2008). Care-seeking practices in South Asia:. Journal of Perinatology , 28, S9-S13 .

WHO. (2011). Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health. Partnership Maternal, Newborn & Child Health.