Role of Maternal and Child Health Handbook on Improving Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this review is to assess and synthesize the role of the maternal and child health (MCH) handbook on improving healthcare service utilization, behavior change, and health outcomes for women and children. A systematic search of all relevant existing reports was conducted on 14 January 2021, using the following online bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Academic Search Premier, Emcare, APA PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. We included 7 trials from 1430 articles, and a total of 2643 women. As overall risk of bias assessment, most domains of the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool showed a high or unclear risk of bias. The risk of ≥6 antenatal care (ANC) visits was 19% higher (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.30, I2 = 47%, 2 studies, 955 women, moderate certainty of evidence) and skilled birth attendants during delivery was 13% higher (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.24, I2 = 0%, 2 studies, 1094 women, low certainty of the evidence) in the intervention group than in the control group. The MCH handbook can increase maternal health service utilization and early breastfeeding practice. It also leads to a sense of autonomy during ANC, better communication with healthcare providers, and support from family members.

Mothers’ perception of the care of newborn in the home environment

“…Important progress is evident in terms of qualification of maternal and child health, although the reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality rates remains slow in Brazil. Studies ( 17 , 18 , 19 ) demonstrate that the first 28 days of the newborn, in a home environment, deserve special attention. The focus, however, cannot only be on the newborn, but also on the mother who, equally, demands differentiated attention, especially on first-time mothers, as expressed by one of the participants: “I want them to listen to me and Don’t tell me what I should do”.…”

Percepção de mães sobre o cuidado de recém-nascidos em ambiente domiciliar

“…Evidencia-se importante avanço em termos de qualificação da saúde materno-infantil, embora a redução das taxas de mortalidade materna e neonatal sigam lentas em âmbito de Brasil. Estudos (17)(18)(19) demonstram que os primeiros 28 dias do recém-nascido, em ambiente domiciliar, merecem atenção especial. O foco, no entanto, não pode centrar-se apenas no recém-nascido, mas também na mãe que, igualmente, demanda atenção diferenciada, especialmente naquelas mães de primeira viagem, conforme expresso por uma das participantes: "eu quero que me escutem e que não me digam o que eu devo fazer".…”

Modern contraceptive utilization and associated factors among postpartum women in Kena Woreda, Konso Zone, South Ethiopian Regional State, Ethiopia, 2023: mixed type community based cross-sectional study design

“…The possible discrepancy for this prevalence may be justified by the fact that the study area is might be attributed to low maternal health care service utilization. This study was also conducted mainly in rural kebeles where low educational status, poor counselling about contraceptive and lack of transportation to health facilities might be a reason for less utilization of PPFP compared to studies mentioned above as most of them were conducted in the town [ 47 , 48 ]. Therefore addressing disparities in contraceptive utilization requires a multifaceted approach that considers regional context, education and counselling, and access to healthcare services.…”