Answer To: Microsoft Word - PPHR9741 Grading rubrics for essay research paper. seminar paper PPHR9741 Women’s...
Anju Lata answered on Oct 07 2021
Running Head: Women’s Health and Child Survival
Women’s Health and Child Survival
Assignment
PPHR9741 –Women’s Health and Child Survival
Topic: “Maternal health and early neonatal health are strongly inter-related”
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Introduction
Maternal Health refers to the mother’s health during pregnancy, child birth and in the period following the child birth (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2019). The early neonatal health refers to the health of early born baby after delivery within 28 days of age (WHO, 2019). During the early 28 days after birth the child is at an increased risk of dying. It is necessary to provide appropriate care and feeding in this period for transition into a healthier life.
The health of women before pregnancy, during pregnancy, during the child birth and postpartum care strongly influence the health of newborn child. A healthy beginning during the perinatal period affects the infancy and childhood. The Goal Number 3 in Sustainable Development Goals of WHO, specifically aims to reduce the global maternal mortality rates by <70 per 100,000 child births until 2030 (WHO, 2019).
This essay critically discusses the statement “Maternal health and early neonatal health are strongly inter-related”, explaining the programs and interventions adopted to enhance the health of both the neonates and the mothers.
Global Burden of Neonatal Mortality and Maternal Mortality Rates (Statistics)
The global maternal mortality rates have lowered by 38% from 2000 to 2017 (UNICEF, 2019). The maternal mortality ratio reduced from 342 deaths to 211 deaths per 100,000 births in 2017. However, the sustainable development goal of 70 maternal deaths for each 100,000 births is yet to achieve. Globally, majority of maternal deaths take place during the labor, delivery and during the period after delivery due to obstetric hemorrhage. The other primary causes of maternal deaths are unsafe abortion, embolism, sepsis and hypertensive illness. The indirect causes of maternal deaths cause 18% of the global maternal deaths due to cardiovascular disease, malaria, HIV and anaemia. 80% of all neonatal deaths occur due to preterm birth complications, infections and neonatal deaths during intra partum period.
99% of infant and maternal deaths occur in developing and poor countries where there is highest risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The Link between Women’s and Newborn’s Health
The poor nutrition of women from preconception period till the postnatal period, is responsible for increased risk of morbidity in newborn and mothers. The chronic illness in mothers like diabetes, infections, hypertension, depression and many other diseases directly influence the health of fetus. During postnatal period, no gap between subsequent pregnancies, maternal depression and delayed breastfeeding adversely affect the well being of the child.
The interventions provided to the women during pre pregnancy, pregnancy and during the child birth positively influence the health of newborn. Just the promotion of immediate breast feeding and cleansing of umbilical cord can prevent several infections in children. The low cost interventions like vaccination of mother and child, nutrient supplementation, hygiene and family planning may positively influence the child and the mother. Improvements in nutritional status of women and good mother health directly benefit the child health. Poor health of mothers and infections largely contribute to the neonatal deaths and morbidity. The children whose mothers dyes during delivery have higher chances of dying within 12 months than the children whose mothers are alive. A population based surveillance report in Bangladesh reported that a new born whose mother has died, is at 8 times higher risk of death. Especially the risk of death of newborn at the age of 1 to 5 increases 27 times if the mother had died (Lassi, Majeed & Rashid, 2013).
The deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants addresses the factors of maternal mortality such as preterm birth complications, infections, hypertension and bleeding. Lower number of skilled attendants is related to higher mortality rates in newborns. 77% of neonatal deaths occur in countries where 46-52% of births take place through skilled birth attendance. The countries where 100% skilled attendants are there, they encounter very low mortality (<5) (Lassi et al., 2013).
Maternal and Child Under-Nutrition
Improvements in maternal nutritional status contribute to infant and neonatal survival. The malnourished women give birth to children who are at high risk of premature deaths and diseases. The deficiency of iron in women during delivery elevates the risk of maternal death and accounts to 20% global maternal mortality. The condition of under-nutrition in women is responsible for many adverse conditions like intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), wasting and stunting which can be prevented. These three consequences of under-nutrition are responsible for 21% of disability adjusted life years and 2.2 million deaths among the children below 5 years. Low or delayed...