❤️‍🩹Intro to Public Health Unit 10 – Maternal and Child Health

Key Concepts in Maternal and Child Health

• Maternal health encompasses the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period
• Child health focuses on the physical, mental, and social well-being of children from infancy through adolescence
• Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) measures the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
  • MMR is a key indicator of maternal health and healthcare quality
• Infant mortality rate (IMR) measures the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births
  • IMR is a critical indicator of child health and overall development
• Preterm birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation
  • Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity (disabilities)
• Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds)
  • LBW is associated with increased risk of infant mortality and developmental issues
• Exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for infants during the first six months of life
  • Breastfeeding promotes infant health, growth, and development (immune system, bonding)

Historical Context and Global Trends

• Maternal and child health has been a focus of public health efforts since the early 20th century
• In 2000, the United Nations established the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to improve global health
  • MDG 4 aimed to reduce child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015
  • MDG 5 targeted improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality by 75%
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) succeeded the MDGs in 2015
  • SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Global maternal mortality has declined by 38% since 2000, but progress has been uneven across regions
• Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for 86% of global maternal deaths
• Child mortality has decreased significantly, but disparities persist between and within countries
  • In 2019, 5.2 million children under age 5 died, with 80% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Maternal Health Issues and Interventions

• Hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia, eclampsia), and infections are leading causes of maternal mortality
• Skilled birth attendance and access to emergency obstetric care are crucial for reducing maternal deaths
  • Skilled birth attendants (midwives, nurses, doctors) provide essential care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum
• Antenatal care (ANC) involves regular check-ups during pregnancy to monitor maternal and fetal health
  • WHO recommends a minimum of eight ANC contacts to reduce perinatal mortality and improve women's experience of care
• Family planning and contraception help prevent unintended pregnancies and promote maternal health
  • Access to contraception reduces maternal mortality by preventing high-risk pregnancies (adolescent, closely spaced, high parity)
• Addressing unsafe abortion is critical for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality
  • Providing access to safe, legal abortion services and post-abortion care can prevent complications and deaths

Child Health Challenges and Solutions

• Pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria are leading causes of child mortality in low- and middle-income countries
• Immunization is a cost-effective intervention for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases (measles, polio, diphtheria)
  • Expanding vaccine coverage through routine immunization programs and campaigns is essential for child health
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is a comprehensive approach to child health
  • IMCI combines prevention, treatment, and health promotion strategies to address common childhood illnesses
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life reduces the risk of diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition
• Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a simple, effective treatment for diarrhea-related dehydration
  • ORT involves administering a solution of sugar, salt, and water to replace lost fluids and electrolytes
• Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are a key intervention for preventing malaria transmission
  • Distributing and promoting the use of ITNs has contributed to significant reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality

Nutrition and Its Impact

• Malnutrition, including undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, is a major contributor to maternal and child morbidity and mortality
• Stunting, or low height-for-age, affects 144 million children under 5 globally
  • Stunting is caused by chronic undernutrition and is associated with impaired cognitive development and increased risk of chronic diseases in adulthood
• Wasting, or low weight-for-height, affects 47 million children under 5 globally
  • Wasting is caused by acute undernutrition and increases the risk of mortality from infectious diseases
• Iron deficiency anemia is a common micronutrient deficiency affecting pregnant women and children
  • Anemia during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal mortality, low birth weight, and preterm birth
• Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness and increases the risk of mortality from infectious diseases
• Interventions to improve maternal and child nutrition include:
  • Promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
  • Providing micronutrient supplements (iron, folic acid, vitamin A) to pregnant women and children
  • Implementing food fortification programs to address micronutrient deficiencies (iodized salt, iron-fortified flour)
  • Promoting complementary feeding with diverse, nutrient-dense foods starting at six months of age

Social Determinants of Maternal and Child Health

• Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age
• Poverty is a key social determinant that influences maternal and child health outcomes
  • Poverty is associated with limited access to healthcare, education, and nutrition, as well as increased exposure to environmental hazards
• Education, particularly maternal education, is a strong predictor of maternal and child health
  • Educated mothers are more likely to seek healthcare, practice healthy behaviors, and have better health outcomes for themselves and their children
• Gender inequality and discrimination can negatively impact maternal and child health
  • Women's limited autonomy and decision-making power can restrict their access to healthcare and nutrition
• Environmental factors, such as air pollution and lack of access to clean water and sanitation, contribute to maternal and child morbidity and mortality
  • Exposure to household air pollution from solid fuel use increases the risk of respiratory infections and low birth weight
• Addressing social determinants requires multisectoral collaboration and policies that promote health equity
  • Examples include conditional cash transfer programs (Bolsa Família in Brazil) and investments in girls' education

Public Health Policies and Programs

• The Safe Motherhood Initiative, launched in 1987, aimed to reduce maternal mortality by 50% by 2000
  • The initiative focused on improving access to family planning, antenatal care, and skilled birth attendance
• The Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth (IMPAC) is a WHO-led strategy to improve maternal and newborn health
  • IMPAC includes evidence-based guidelines and tools for healthcare providers to deliver quality care
• The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was established in 1974 to increase vaccine coverage and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases
  • EPI has contributed to significant reductions in child mortality from diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria
• The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) promotes and supports breastfeeding in healthcare facilities
  • BFHI includes the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices to support breastfeeding initiation and duration
• The Global Strategy for Women's, Children's, and Adolescents' Health (2016-2030) provides a roadmap for ending preventable deaths and promoting health and well-being
  • The strategy emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants and promoting multisectoral collaboration

Future Directions and Emerging Challenges

• Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) is critical for ensuring access to essential maternal and child health services
  • UHC requires strengthening health systems, increasing financial protection, and addressing inequities in access to care
• Improving the quality of care is essential for reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality
  • Quality improvement initiatives should focus on evidence-based practices, respectful care, and patient-centered approaches
• Addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in mothers and children is an emerging challenge
  • NCDs, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, are increasingly affecting maternal and child health outcomes
• Climate change poses significant risks to maternal and child health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
  • Climate-related hazards, such as extreme weather events and food insecurity, can exacerbate existing health inequities
• Strengthening health information systems and improving data quality are crucial for monitoring progress and informing decision-making
  • Investing in digital health technologies and building capacity for data analysis can support evidence-based policies and programs
• Promoting intersectoral collaboration and engaging communities are key strategies for addressing the complex determinants of maternal and child health
  • Collaborating with sectors like education, agriculture, and social protection can create synergies and maximize impact
• Investing in research and innovation is essential for developing new interventions and approaches to improve maternal and child health
  • Priority areas include implementation research, digital health, and personalized medicine