Maternal and child health care services: prevention of complications, reduction of maternal, neonatal and child morbidity and mortality rate: A narrative review

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56922/mchc.v4i8.1726

Authors

  • Vilma Ajijul Jana Universitas Shah Alam Malaysia

Child health Maternal health Morbidity reduction Neonatal mortality Preventive interventions

Abstract

Background: Maternal and child health (MCH) services are critical interventions that improve maternal and child health outcomes globally. 

Purpose: To review maternal and child health services: prevention of complications, reduction of maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality rates: Narrative review

Method: A narrative review method was used to synthesize current evidence on effective MCH interventions.

Results: Evidence from global and regional literature highlights effective interventions including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, postnatal care, immunization, and nutrition programs.

Conclusion: The need for strengthened health systems, community participation, and policy support is emphasized to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3.1 and 3.2.

Suggestion: Implementing frequent CHW home visits is vital in the Prevention of Complications, Reduction of Maternal, Neonatal and Child Morbidity and Mortality Rate. Aim for multiple visits during both antenatal and postnatal periods, as the strongest neonatal mortality reduction (24%) occurred in studies with ≥ 3 visits and integrated antenatal plus postnatal care, Package interventions into comprehensive home-based care

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anyanwu, E. C., Maduka, C. P., Ayo-Farai, O., Okongwu, C. C., & Daraojimba, A. I. (2024). Maternal and child health policy: A global review of current practices and future directions. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(2), 1770-1781.

Arifin, S. R., Cheyne, H., Maxwell, M., & Yousuf, A. (2021). The Malaysian women's experience of care and management of postnatal depression. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health: CP & EMH, 17, 10.

Bhutta, Z. A., Das, J. K., Rizvi, A., Gaffey, M. F., Walker, N., Horton, S., & Black, R. E. (2013). Evidence-based interventions for improvement of maternal and child nutrition: what can be done and at what cost?. The lancet, 382(9890), 452-477.

Campbell, O. M., Calvert, C., Testa, A., Strehlow, M., Benova, L., Keyes, E., & Bailey, P. (2016). The scale, scope, coverage, and capability of childbirth care. The Lancet, 388(10056), 2193-2208.

Chew, C. C., Lim, X. J., Low, L. L., Lau, K. M., Kari, M., Shamsudin, U. K., & Rajan, P. (2022). The challenges in managing the growth of indigenous children in Perak State, Malaysia: A qualitative study. Plos One, 17(3), e0265917.

Chin, A. Z., Maluda, M. C. M., Goroh, M. M. D., Lim, K. J., Dhanaraj, P., & Ibrahim, M. Y. (2023). Maternal Death Reviews: A Retrospective Case Series of Reported Cases in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo from 2015-2020. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 23(2), 160-167.

Gizaw, Z., Astale, T., & Kassie, G. M. (2022). What improves access to primary healthcare services in rural communities? A systematic review. BMC Primary Care, 23(1), 313.

Gülmezoglu, A. M., Lawrie, T. A., Hezelgrave, N., Oladapo, O. T., Souza, J. P., Gielen, M., & Hofmeyr, G. J. (2016). Interventions to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, 2, 115-136.

Hlongwane, T. M., Bozkurt, B., Barreix, M. C., Pattinson, R., Gülmezoglu, M., Vannevel, V., & Tunçalp, Ö. (2021). Implementing antenatal care recommendations, South Africa. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 99(3), 220.

Howard-Grabman, L., Miltenburg, A. S., Marston, C., & Portela, A. (2017). Factors affecting effective community participation in maternal and newborn health programme planning, implementation and quality of care interventions. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 17(1), 268.

Khor, Y. H., Saravanan, K., Holland, A. E., Lee, J. Y., Ryerson, C. J., McDonald, C. F., & Goh, N. S. (2021). A mixed-methods pilot study of handheld fan for breathlessness in interstitial lung disease. Scientific reports, 11(1), 6874.

Koblinsky, M., Moyer, C. A., Calvert, C., Campbell, J., Campbell, O. M., Feigl, A. B., & Langer, A. (2016). Quality maternity care for every woman, everywhere: a call to action. The Lancet, 388(10057), 2307-2320.

Kruk, M. E., Gage, A. D., Arsenault, C., Jordan, K., Leslie, H. H., Roder-DeWan, S., & Pate, M. (2018). High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a revolution. The Lancet global health, 6(11), e1196-e1252.

Lassi, Z. S., Haider, B. A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2012). Community-based intervention packages for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and improving neonatal outcomes. Journal of development effectiveness, 4(1), 151-187.

Lawn, J. E., Blencowe, H., Oza, S., You, D., Lee, A. C., Waiswa, P., & Cousens, S. N. (2014). Every Newborn: progress, priorities, and potential beyond survival. The lancet, 384(9938), 189-205.

Ministry of Health Malaysia. (2019). Laporan Tahunan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Retrieved from: https://www2.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Penerbitan%20Utama/ANNUAL%20REPORT/LAPORAN_TAHUNAN_KKM_2019.pdf

Neupane, S., & Doku, D. (2013). Utilization of postnatal care among Nepalese women. Maternal and child health journal, 17(10), 1922-1930.

Perry, H. B., Zulliger, R., & Rogers, M. M. (2014). Community health workers in low-, middle-, and high-income countries: an overview of their history, recent evolution, and current effectiveness. Annual review of public health, 35(1), 399-421.

Singh, A., Pallikadavath, S., Ogollah, R., & Stones, W. (2012). Maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination and neonatal mortality in rural north India. PLoS one, 7(11), e48891.

Sondaal, S. F. V., Browne, J. L., Amoakoh-Coleman, M., Borgstein, A., Miltenburg, A. S., Verwijs, M., & Klipstein-Grobusch, K. (2016). Assessing the effect of mHealth interventions in improving maternal and neonatal care in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review. PloS one, 11(5), e0154664.

Tiruneh, G. T., Shiferaw, C. B., & Worku, A. (2019). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home-based postpartum care on neonatal mortality and exclusive breastfeeding practice in low-and-middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 19(1), 507.

UNICEF. (2023). Neonatal Mortality. Retrieved from: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-survival/neonatal-mortality

Victora, C. G., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Bahl, R., Rollins, N. C., Horton, S., & Walker, N. (2016). Amamentação no século 21: epidemiologia, mecanismos, e efeitos ao longo da vida. Epidemiol Serv Saúde, 25(1), 1-24.

Wang, C. C., Abdul Jalal, M. I., Song, Z. L., Teo, Y. P., Tan, C. A., Heng, K. V., & Lum, L. C. S. (2022). A randomized pilot trial of micronutrient supplementation for under-5 children in an urban low-cost flat community in malaysia: a framework for community-based research integration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 13878.

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO recommended interventions for improving maternal and newborn health: integrated management of pregnancy and childbirth (No. WHO/MPS/07.05). World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2021). Global Nutrition Targets 2025: Policy Brief Series. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-NMH-NHD-14.2

World Health Organization. (2022). Maternal mortality. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality

World Health Organization. (2022). WHO Recommendations on Maternal and Newborn Care for A Positive Postnatal Experience. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045989

World Health Organization. (2023). Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: Progress report 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240079861

World Health Organization. (2024). Neonatal Mortility. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/newborn-mortality

Yadav, A. K., Sahni, B., & Jena, P. K. (2021). Education, employment, economic status and empowerment: Implications for maternal health care services utilization in India. Journal of Public Affairs, 21(3), e2259.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-29