Question

Provide three examples of prevention measures for reducing maternal and infant mortality. Include a US or other county prospective on why maternal and child health is important. Be as detailed as possible so the instructor can gauge your knowledge and understanding of the material.

Answer 1

Ans) Maternal, infant, and child healthbencompasses the health of women of childbearing age from pre-pregnancy, through pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and the postpartum period and the health of the child prior to birth through adolescence.

• Three Examples of Prevention measures that reduce maternal and infant mortality and promote the health of all childbearing women and their newborns:

a. Before conception: Screen women for health risks and preexisting chronic conditions (i.e. diabetes, hypertension and STDs), counsel women about contraception and provide access to effective family planning services (to prevent unintended pregnancies and unnecessary abortions), counsel women about the benefits of good nutrition.

- Encourage women especially to consume adequate amounts of folic acid supplements (to prevent neural tube defects) and iron, advise women to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, advise women about the value of regular physical exercise.

b. During pregnancy: Provide women with early access to high-quality care throughout the phases of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

- Such care includes risk-appropriate care, treatment for complications, and use of antenatal corticosteroids when appropriate.

- Monitor and, when appropriate, treat preexisting chronic conditions, screen for and, when appropriate, trat reproductive tract infections, vaccinate women against influenza (if appropriate), continue counseling against use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs, continue counseling about nutrition and physical exercise, educate women about the early signs of pregnancy-related problems.

c. During postpartum period:
- Vaccinate newborns at age-appropriate times.

- Provide information about well-baby care and the benefits of breastfeeding.

- Warn parents about exposing infants to secondhand smoke.

- Counsel parents about placing infants to sleep on their backs.

- Educate parents about how to protect their infants from exposure to infectious diseases and harmful substances.