Employing public health facilities for delivering early child development package in two districts of Pakistan named Rawalpindi and Lahore

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Amir Khan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Early Child Development ◽  
Early Child ◽  
Public Health Facilities

Revised standards of proficiencies for midwives: an opportunity to influence childhood health?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-154
Author(s):  
Samantha Meegan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Early Child Development ◽  
Childhood Health ◽  
Early Child ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

The first 1 000 days of life are critical during early child development, yet the significance of this time and the impact on childhood health have only recently been recognised within the UK. In early 2020, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) released revised standards of proficiency for midwives. These draw on the evidence-base generated by recent research developments within public health, providing the first update of midwifery standards for a decade. This article critically explores the main aspects within the NMC's future midwife proficiencies that relate to the public health component of the midwifery role, and will examine how these factors can equip midwives of the future to support women, their babies and families within the fundamental early days of life.

scholarly journals Learning across the UK: a review of public health systems and policy approaches to early child development since political devolution

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Black ◽  
Amy Barnes ◽  
Susan Baxter ◽  
Claire Beynon ◽  
Mark Clowes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Early Child Development ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Early Child ◽  
Public Health Systems ◽  
Explicit Recognition ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Systems Framework

Abstract Background Giving children the best start in life is critical for their future health and wellbeing. Political devolution in the UK provides a natural experiment to explore how public health systems contribute to children’s early developmental outcomes across four countries. Method A systematic literature review and input from a stakeholder group was used to develop a public health systems framework. This framework then informed analysis of public health policy approaches to early child development. Results A total of 118 studies met the inclusion criteria. All national policies championed a ‘prevention approach’ to early child development. Political factors shaped divergence, with variation in national conceptualizations of child development (‘preparing for life’ versus ‘preparing for school’) and pre-school provision (‘universal entitlement’ or ‘earned benefit’). Poverty and resourcing were identified as key system factors that influenced outcomes. Scotland and Wales have enacted distinctive legislation focusing on wider determinants. However, this is limited by the extent of devolved powers. Conclusion The systems framework clarifies policy complexity relating to early child development. The divergence of child development policies in the four countries and, particularly, the explicit recognition in Scottish and Welsh policy of wider determinants, creates scope for this topic to be a tracer area to compare UK public health systems longer term.

Perceived Knowledge of Early Child Development Among New and Expecting Fathers

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Keefe ◽  
Sharnail D. Bazemore ◽  
Kate Farr ◽  
James F. Paulson
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Early Child Development ◽  
Perceived Knowledge ◽  
Early Child

scholarly journals A holistic approach to promoting early child development: a cluster randomised trial of a group-based, multicomponent intervention in rural Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e004307
Author(s):  
Helen O Pitchik ◽  
Fahmida Tofail ◽  
Mahbubur Rahman ◽  
Fahmida Akter ◽  
Jesmin Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Primary Caregivers ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Early Child Development ◽  
Early Child ◽  
Rural Bangladesh ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Adjusted Means

IntroductionIn low- and middle-income countries, children experience multiple risks for delayed development. We evaluated a multicomponent, group-based early child development intervention including behavioural recommendations on responsive stimulation, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, mental health and lead exposure prevention.MethodsWe conducted a 9-month, parallel, multiarm, cluster-randomised controlled trial in 31 rural villages in Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh. Villages were randomly allocated to: group sessions (‘group’); alternating groups and home visits (‘combined’); or a passive control arm. Sessions were delivered fortnightly by trained community members. The primary outcome was child stimulation (Family Care Indicators); the secondary outcome was child development (Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory, ASQi). Other outcomes included dietary diversity, latrine status, use of a child potty, handwashing infrastructure, caregiver mental health and knowledge of lead. Analyses were intention to treat. Data collectors were independent from implementers.ResultsIn July–August 2017, 621 pregnant women and primary caregivers of children<15 months were enrolled (group n=160, combined n=160, control n=301). At endline, immediately following intervention completion (July–August 2018), 574 participants were assessed (group n=144, combined n=149, control n=281). Primary caregivers in both intervention arms participated in more play activities than control caregivers (age-adjusted means: group 4.22, 95% CI 3.97 to 4.47; combined 4.77, 4.60 to 4.96; control 3.24, 3.05 to 3.39), and provided a larger variety of play materials (age-adjusted means: group 3.63, 3.31 to 3.96; combined 3.81, 3.62 to 3.99; control 2.48, 2.34 to 2.59). Compared with the control arm, children in the group arm had higher total ASQi scores (adjusted mean difference in standardised scores: 0.39, 0.15 to 0.64), while in the combined arm scores were not significantly different from the control (0.25, –0.07 to 0.54).ConclusionOur findings suggest that group-based, multicomponent interventions can be effective at improving child development outcomes in rural Bangladesh, and that they have the potential to be delivered at scale.Trial registration numberThe trial is registered in ISRCTN (ISRCTN16001234).

scholarly journals Linkage to primary-care public health facilities for cardiovascular disease prevention: a community-based cohort study from urban slums in India

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e045997
Author(s):  
Abhijit Pakhare ◽  
Ankur Joshi ◽  
Rasha Anwar ◽  
Khushbu Dubey ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
Care Facilities

ObjectivesHypertension and diabetes mellitus are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Once identified with these conditions, individuals need to be linked to primary healthcare system for initiation of lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy and maintenance of therapies to achieve optimal blood pressure and glycaemic control. In the current study, we evaluated predictors and barriers for non-linkage to primary-care public health facilities for CVD risk reduction.MethodsWe conducted a community-based longitudinal study in 16 urban slum clusters in central India. Community health workers (CHWs) in each urban slum cluster screened all adults, aged 30 years or more for hypertension and diabetes, and those positively screened were sought to be linked to urban primary health centres (UPHCs). We performed univariate and multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors for non-linkage to primary-care providers. We conducted in-depth assessment in 10% of all positively screened, to identify key barriers that potentially prevented linkages to primary-care facilities.ResultsOf 6174 individuals screened, 1451 (23.5%; 95% CI 22.5 to 24.6) were identified as high risk and required linkage to primary-care facilities. Out of these, 544 (37.5%) were linked to public primary-care facilities and 259 (17.8%) to private providers. Of the remaining, 506 (34.9%) did not get linked to any provider and 142 (9.8%) defaulted after initial linkages (treatment interrupters). On multivariate analysis, as compared with those linked to public primary-care facilities, those who were not linked had age less than 45 years (OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.5)), were in lowest wealth quintile (OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.9), resided beyond a kilometre from UPHC (OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.4) and were engaged late by CHWs (OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.8 to 3.7)). Despite having comparable knowledge level, denial about their risk status and lack of family support were key barriers in this group.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates feasibility of CHW-based strategy in promoting linkages to primary-care facilities.

scholarly journals Health facility capacity to provide postabortion care in Afghanistan: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzana Maruf ◽  
Hannah Tappis ◽  
Enriquito Lu ◽  
Ghutai Sadeq Yaqubi ◽  
Jelle Stekelenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Vacuum Aspiration ◽  
Postabortion Care ◽  
Products Of Conception ◽  
Family Planning Counseling

Abstract Background Afghanistan has one of the highest burdens of maternal mortality in the world, estimated at 638 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017. Infections, obstetric hemorrhage, and unsafe abortion are the three leading causes of maternal death. Contraceptive prevalence rate has fluctuated between 10 and 20% since 2006. The 2016 Afghanistan National Maternal and Newborn Health Quality of Care Assessment evaluated facility readiness to provide quality routine and emergency obstetric and newborn care, including postabortion care services. Methods Accessible public health facilities with at least five births per day (n = 77), a nationally representative sample of public health facilities with fewer than five births per day (n = 149), and 20 purposively selected private health facilities were assessed. Assessment components examining postabortion care included a facility inventory and record review tool to verify drug, supply, equipment, and facility record availability, and an interview tool to collect information on skilled birth attendants’ knowledge and perceptions. Results Most facilities had supplies, equipment, and drugs to manage postabortion care, including family planning counseling and services provision. At public facilities, 36% of skilled birth attendants asked to name essential actions to address abortion complications mentioned manual vacuum aspiration (23% at private facilities); fewer than one-quarter mentioned counseling. When asked what information should be given to postabortion clients, 73% described family planning counseling need (70% at private facilities). Nearly all high-volume public health facilities with an average of five or more births per day and less than 5% of low volume public health facilities with an average of 0–4 deliveries per day reported removal of retained products of conception in the past 3 months. Among the 77 high volume facilities assessed, 58 (75%) reported using misoprostol for removal of retained products of conception, 59 (77%) reported using manual vacuum aspiration, and 67 (87%) reported using dilation and curettage. Conclusions This study provides evidence that there is room for improvement in postabortion care services provision in Afghanistan health facilities including post abortion family planning. Access to high-quality postabortion care needs additional investments to improve providers’ knowledge and practice, availability of supplies and equipment.

scholarly journals Nutritional Status of Children 24–60 Months Attending Early Child Development Centres in a Semi-Rural Community in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Onwaba Makanjana ◽  
Ashika Naicker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Early Child Development ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Early Child ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children

Despite the numerous efforts to improve the nutritional status of children, a high prevalence of malnutrition still exists in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the nutritional status of children attending Early Child Development centres in South Africa. In this baseline study, we randomly selected two Early Child Development centres comprising 116 children aged 24–60 months, separated into two cohorts, of 24–47 months and 48–60 months. Dietary intake was measured through the 24 hDR and analysed using Food Finder software. The food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the food variety and food group diversity scores. Anthropometric measurements were taken and the WHO Anthro software was used to convert it to nutritional data indices. Blood samples were collected through dried blood spot cards in order to determine serum retinol and haemoglobin levels and they were assessed using WHO indicators. The findings showed that participants between 24 and 47 months had a high mean energy intake (4906.2 kJ and 4997.9 kJ for girls and boys, respectively). For the 48–60 months age group, energy intake was lower than the EER (5936.4 kJ and 5621.2 kJ; p = 0.038). There was low fruit and vegetable consumption (24–47 months; 63.8 g and 69.5 g (p = 0.037), 48–60 months; 68.3 g and 74.4 g (p = 0.038) and the top five foods consumed were carbohydrate rich foods for girls and boys, respectively. Stunting was noted in 7% and 20% (48–60 months) (p = 0.012) and overweight in 8% and 17% (24–47 months) and 17% and 13% (48–60 months) (p = 0.041) in girls and boys, respectively. Low serum retinol levels (<0.070 µmol/L) were found in 9.1% of boys (24–47 months), and 8% and 7.4% of girls and boys (48–60 months), respectively. Low haemoglobin levels (<11.0 g/dL) were found in 50.0% and 30.4% (24–47 months) and 8.6% and 39.3% (48–60 months) of girls and boys, respectively. Malnutrition, despite many national and provincial initiatives, still exists in Early Childhood Development centres in South Africa, calling for the application of contextualized nutrition interventions to suit resource-poor settings.

scholarly journals Managing pneumonia through facility-based integrated management of childhood management (IMCI) services: an analysis of the service availability and readiness among public health facilities in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ehsanur Rahamn ◽  
Shema Mhajabin ◽  
David Dockrell ◽  
Harish Nair ◽  
Shams El Arifeen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Child Death ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Family Welfare ◽  
Service Availability ◽  
District Health ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
District Hospitals

Abstract Background With an estimated 24,000 deaths per year, pneumonia is the single largest cause of death among young children in Bangladesh, accounting for 18% of all under-5 deaths. The Government of Bangladesh adopted the WHO recommended Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)-strategy in 1998 for outpatient management of pneumonia, which was scaled-up nationally by 2014. This paper reports the service availability and readiness related to IMCI-based pneumonia management in Bangladesh. We conducted a secondary analysis of the Bangladesh Health Facility Survey-2017, which was conducted with a nationally representative sample including all administrative divisions and types of health facilities. We limited our analysis to District Hospitals (DHs), Maternal and Child Welfare Centres (MCWCs), Upazila (sub-district) Health Complexes (UHCs), and Union Health and Family Welfare Centres (UH&FWCs), which are mandated to provide IMCI services. Readiness was reported based on 10 items identified by national experts as ‘essential’ for pneumonia management. Results More than 90% of DHs and UHCs, and three-fourths of UH&FWCs and MCWCs provide IMCI-based pneumonia management services. Less than two-third of the staff had ever received IMCI-based pneumonia training. Only one-third of the facilities had a functional ARI timer or a watch able to record seconds on the day of the visit. Pulse oximetry was available in 27% of the district hospitals, 18% of the UHCs and none of the UH&FWCs. Although more than 80% of the facilities had amoxicillin syrup or dispersible tablets, only 16% had injectable gentamicin. IMCI service registers were not available in nearly one-third of the facilities and monthly reporting forms were not available in around 10% of the facilities. Only 18% of facilities had a high-readiness (score 8–10), whereas 20% had a low-readiness (score 0–4). The readiness was significantly poorer among rural and lower level facilities (p < 0.001). Seventy-two percent of the UHCs had availability of one of any of the four oxygen sources (oxygen concentrators, filled oxygen cylinder with flowmeter, filled oxygen cylinder without flowmeter, and oxygen distribution system) followed by DHs (66%) and MCWCs (59%). Conclusion There are substantial gaps in the readiness related to IMCI-based pneumonia management in public health facilities in Bangladesh. Since pneumonia remains a major cause of child death nationally, Bangladesh should make a substantial effort in programme planning, implementation and monitoring to address these critical gaps to ensure better provision of essential care for children suffering from pneumonia.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document