Reference no: EM133649477

Assignment:

This article addresses a global public health issue; maternal mortality, and nutritional deficiency. It also highlights a case study that was conducted in India to analyze two specific public health interventions and their effect on better nutritional outcomes in pregnant mothers. Maternal and child undernutrition plays a significant role in millions of deaths and disability each year. This issue is more of a burden on low and middle-income countries due to limited access, and resources to nutritional food and prenatal care. This case study included 28,586 pregnant Indian women which were randomly selected in rural and urban settings and had various levels of education and socioeconomic status.

The purpose of this study was to observe how study participants would follow the public health recommendations implemented by the Indian Government and, to see how effective these interventions were in reducing prenatal malnutrition. Two National public health interventions were put into place. The first intervention was to provide iron and folic acid tablets/syrup to pregnant mothers with the intent of reducing iron deficiency anemia, and major birth defects. The second intervention was the implementation of the "National Food Security Action" which was aimed at providing nutritional food or providing economic support in order for pregnant mothers to access nutritional food. These services would be available during pregnancy and 6 months after child-birth.

In conclusion, This study showed that the consumption of the recommended dosage of IFA improved with a better utilization of prenatal health services. Women who were ranked in moderate to upper income status were more likely to be compliant in attending their prenatal care visits, and following a nutritional diet. Data from this study also supports that women living in rural areas of poorer economic status were more likely to take advantage of the nutritional food program. Out of the survey participants, pregnant mothers who followed the interventions had a 76% success rate; meaning that their child was born w/no birth defects or comorbidities. Nearly all survey participants (97%), who took the folic acid supplements as recommended gave birth to babies with no pending blood disorders.

1. Explain the role of the community/public health nurse in addressing this issue.

2. Evaluate the interventions and make recommendations to successfully address this issue.