Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
on the use of the handbook. They are also responsible in the
distribution and recording of the handbook. The handbook is useful
from pregnancy until the child reaches fifteen years old.
CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE
The MCHH is instrumental in promoting healthcare among mothers
and children. It has a great influence among mothers’ MCH
knowledge and attitudes. Thus, it can also change behaviors from
pregnancy to child care. However, the MCHH alone cannot create
wonders – such as reducing MMR and IMR. It is most effective
where there are adequate health care programs and services in the
locality. The contents of the handbook should be appropriate to the
target population in order to foster the sense of ownership in the
community.
Current challenges of sustaining the MCHH in the community are
numerous. Some these concerns are: lack of funding, lack of
research activities, lack of human resources and low educational
attainment of mothers. It is necessary to address these matters to
effectively promote the MCHH. To establish the MCHH it is
necessary: to create an international network system; to share
MCHH experiences; to evaluate and monitor programs related to
MCHH and research activities toward the handbook; to provide
funds for implementation; to strengthen community network; and
to encourage the Ministry of Health in championing the handbook.
The biennial International Symposium on the Maternal and Child
Health Handbook proved to be an effective venue in addressing
these concerns.
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