Maternal and Infant Health > Ask The Questions

Determines the accessibility of health and nutrition programs for pregnant mothers and infants. Check with the health commissioner, obstetricians and gynecologists, pediatricians, hospital service providers, and others who deal with maternal and infant health issues.

When conducting the survey, try to obtain an answer for every "yes/no" question. A "no" answer to any question-or a qualified response of "yes, but"-suggests that further research should be done to determine the issue's severity and course of action your club should take to address that issue.

The more "yes" answers, the more active your community is with maternal and infant health issues and the less likely your club needs to develop maternal and infant health education and support programs. Of more significance are the "no" answers. These areas identify a need for support.

Are there charitable or government-sponsored clinics that make it possible for all pregnant women to have prenatal check-ups?

Is there a program that makes young women aware of the need for prenatal check-ups and their availability in the community?

• What percentage of pregnant women are not receiving regular prenatal check-ups?

Does your hospital have a newborn intensive care unit? If not, is such a resource available nearby?

Are the neonatal and infant mortality rates for your community at or below the state average for people of all ethnic populations?

• What is the infant mortality rate for the community? What is the infant mortality rate for the minority population(s) in the community? How do these compare to the state or national rate?
• What is the rate of low birth weight babies? Has this rate changed over the past 10 years? Over the last 20 years? What percentage of the low birth weight babies do not survive to their first birthday? What percentage of the surviving low birth weight babies will grow up physically handicapped or mentally retarded?
• What percentage of the infants born in the community are affected by alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs consumed by the mother?

Is there a nutritional program for women, infants, and children, like WIC?

Are there reproductive health services available for adolescents? Are there services appropriately used by adolescents?

Is the number of pregnancies to unmarried women below the age of 17 zero?

 

Survey adapted from the Healthy Children community assessment quiz developed by Philip J. Porter, MD.