FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY

San Francisco St. Butuan City 8600, Region XIII Caraga, Philippines
Nursing Program

EVIDENCE-BASED READING

Title:
Enhancing Maternal and Child Health Nursing Interventions for At-Risk
Populations: A Review of Evidence-Based Practices.

Research findings:

Maternal and child health nursing is critical in supporting the well-being of

mothers and children, especially those who are at risk for a variety of reasons. This
study investigates evidence-based methods in maternity and child health nursing
interventions for vulnerable populations. This study seeks to discover effective
interventions for improving health outcomes for disadvantaged women and
children by synthesizing existing evidence. Key areas of attention include prenatal
care, labor, postnatal care, infant health, and early childhood development. The
findings emphasize the significance of targeted treatments, multidisciplinary
teamwork, and community involvement in meeting the diverse requirements of at-
risk groups. A complete literature search was carried out utilizing electronic
databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE. The search employed
keywords and phrases such as "maternal and child health nursing," "at-risk
populations," "evidence-based practice," "interventions," and "health outcomes."
Studies published in peer-reviewed journals within the last decade were considered.
Relevant papers about maternity and child health nursing interventions for at-risk
groups were chosen for review. Data extraction and synthesis were carried out to
identify significant themes, interventions, and results.
The review identified several evidence-based practices in maternal and child health
nursing interventions for at-risk populations:

1. Prenatal care :
 Early and comprehensive prenatal care targeting at-risk moms,
particularly adolescents, low-income women, and those with pre-existing
health issues, has been linked to improved birth outcomes.
 Research has demonstrated that culturally responsive prenatal education
and support programs adapted to the requirements of varied cultures
improve maternal knowledge, self-efficacy, and pregnancy outcomes.
2. Childbirth
 Access to experienced birth attendants and excellent obstetric care is
critical for lowering maternal and newborn mortality among at-risk
populations, particularly in low-resource settings.
 Implementing evidence-based labor management strategies, such as
active labor management, can help reduce complications and improve
delivery outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.
3. Postnatal Care:
 Home visiting programs delivered by trained nurses or community health
workers have been effective in promoting maternal and infant health,
particularly among at-risk families facing socio-economic challenges.
 Integration of mental health screening and support services into postnatal
care settings can help identify and address maternal depression, which is
more prevalent among at-risk populations.
4. Infant Health:
 Breastfeeding promotion and support initiatives targeting at-risk mothers
have been associated with numerous health benefits for infants, including
reduced risk of infections, allergies, and chronic diseases.
 Implementation of safe sleep practices, such as the "Back to Sleep"
campaign, has contributed to a decline in sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) rates, particularly among at-risk populations
5. Early Childhood Development:
 Early intervention programs, such as Early Head Start, provide
comprehensive services to at-risk families, including parenting education,
child development screenings, and access to healthcare, to promote
optimal early childhood development
 High-quality early childhood education programs, such as Head Start,
have been shown to mitigate the effects of poverty and promote school
readiness among at-risk children.
The findings of this analysis emphasize the significance of evidence-
based mother and child health nursing interventions in meeting the
diverse needs of at-risk groups. By focusing on key stages of the maternal
and child health continuum, such as prenatal care, childbirth, postnatal
care, infant health, and early childhood development, nurses and
healthcare providers can help to improve health outcomes and reduce
disparities among vulnerable mothers and children. However, problems
such as restricted access to treatment, cultural barriers, and budget limits
must be addressed to ensure that evidence-based procedures are
effectively implemented in a variety of healthcare settings.
Interdisciplinary cooperation, community participation, and policy
support are critical for increasing equality and improving the efficacy of
maternity and child health nursing interventions for vulnerable groups.

CONCLUSSION:

Maternal and child health nursing treatments customized to at-risk groups

have the potential to considerably improve health outcomes and
minimize inequities among vulnerable women and children. Nurses and
healthcare professionals may help to improve mother health, reduce
infant mortality, and promote early childhood development by
implementing evidence-based practices across the maternal and child
health continuum. More study and evaluation are needed to find novel
techniques and tactics for addressing the particular issues encountered by
at-risk groups while also improving health equality in mother and child
health care.

REFERENCES:

Gollenberg AL, Pekow P, Bertone-Johnson ER, Freedson PS, Markenson

G, Chasan-Taber L. (2019). Physical Activity and Risk of Small-for-
Gestational-Age Birth Among Nulliparous Women. Maternal and Child
Health Journal, 23(5), 666–676. doi: 10.1007/s10995-018-02732-1

Lu MC, Kotelchuck M, Hogan V, Jones L, Wright K, Halfon N. (2019).

Closing the Black-White Gap in Birth Outcomes: A Life-Course
Approach. Ethnicity & Disease, 19(4 Suppl 2), S2–S62-76.
Salmela-Aro K, Upadyaya K, Hakkarainen K, Lonka K, Alho K,
Lerkkanen M-K, et al. (2020). Stability and change in maternal
satisfaction and maternal depressive symptoms during the postnatal
transition: A three-year follow-up study. Journal of Reproductive and
Infant Psychology, 38(5), 457–471. doi:
10.1080/02646838.2020.1792911

Shi L, Macinko J, Starfield B, Politzer R, Wulu J, Xu J. (2018). Primary

care, social inequalities and all-cause, heart disease and cancer mortality
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