Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the Bahamas
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The Bahamas, an archipelago of about 700 Islands, smaller cays and rocks, lies east of the coast of Florida and extend southwards almost as far as Hispaniola. With an estimated land area of about 5,400 sq miles, it is a favorite vacation destination for the ordinary and the rich and the famous. Like most of the developing countries and first world’s countries, it is wrestling with the control of maternal morbidity and mortality. The author has discovered that there is very little recorded work done in this area of study in The Bahamas. Other research studies based in the Caribbean on these conditions have included limited data on The Bahamas. All data was analyzed in an effort to provide insight into reason maternal morbidity is at a high number and mortality is unstable in the Bahamas. High maternal morbidity and mortality rates are of universal concern. In The Bahamas, it is no different. These conditions affect the health of mothers, babies, children, families, communities and the nation in general. Due to the instability of maternal mortality rates in The Bahamas, the author has undertaken this study to get a greater insight of the causes and actions that can be taken in order to lower maternal morbidity and mortality rates. A secondary research was conducted by literature review, the review and analysis of available statistics both locally and internationally. Questionnaires, interviews and personal discussions facilitated the collection of primary data. The findings of this research coincides with other previously conducted studies showing that maternal morbidity and mortality rates continue to be of great concern world-wide. In the Bahamas the majority of mothers are aware as to why they should attend antenatal clinic and they often began clinic visits as early as 7 – 20 weeks gestation. The majority of clients are from single parent homes where the female are heads of the household. They knew of family planning methods but did not practice any. While most of the respondents are aware of the basic food groups, only a few of them were aware of the risk categories in pregnancy. Health care givers follow well-defined paths and guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health in clinics and hospitals in The Bahamas. Optimum health care services are provided, yet still vacillating numbers in maternal morbidity and mortality persist. Due to these facts, the author recommends the following. In order to reduce and prevent maternal morbidity and mortality in The Bahamas the following would need to be down: 1. A community based research unit needs to be established, 2. An comprehensive and active information system established 3. Education and community activities implemented 4. A vigorous and continuous media campaign started, 5. A series of public education programs conducted, 6. Local and international health events promoted and supported, 7. Training and re-training meetings and workshops 8. Policies formulated and implemented. For the promotion of women health or that matters, all health, health promotion and prevention should begin early - from primary school level. Healthy attitudes should be taught to our children, and when they become of age, they will not depart from. It is recommended that the Government of The Bahamas maintain its mandate of “the country’s vision, of a contemporary health care system and a healthier people for the 21st century. ” In Conclusion, the targeting of young children, at the Primary Schools levels, re educating them in healthy lifestyle practices. Equipped with knowledge and practices of healthy lifestyle, children will become healthy responsible adults. This will go a long way in helping to control/lower the maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Strict adherence to international and national partnership standards in the use of information systems for monitoring, controlling and treatment of childbearing women is essential. Consistent disbursement of information by way of newsletters, fliers and other means in public places will maintain and sustain public awareness of maternal morbidity and mortality. With increasing knowledge, reliable online information systems, global communications, modern medical technologies, in this twenty first century knowledge is said to be just a click away. There should be ongoing researches, in the area of maternal health. This is to monitor whether there are any improvement with the adverse numbers in maternal morbidity and mortality. Policy makers, NGO’S and Stake holders should become partners working towards a common goal for benefits of healthy community and nations. Women should be allowed to take part in any policy making regarding their health.
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About the Book
In her work as a community health nurse, Clarice Ingraham has discovered that traditionally, Bahamian woman play a major role in the country’s society, as do women in all developing countries. The nation is both family-orientated and tourism-dependent. Women are housekeepers and often the sole bread winners in their families. They often work in the hotel industries that comprise about 75 percent of the workforce. Maternal morbidity refers to the rate of incidence of disease, whereas the mortality rate records the instances of death in the Bahamas. Maternal and infant mortality are basic indicators of a nation’s health status. If maternal morbidity and mortality continue to occur in the Bahamas at the present rates, they will directly affect the rates of infant mortality and morbidity. In developing countries, if women continue to be affected by pregnancy-related conditions, childbearing, and the puerperium (the four-week period following childbirth), and are therefore unable to work, the economy, the home, and the nation will suffer. The purpose of the research presented in Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the Bahamas is to determine why maternal morbidity is at such an unacceptable level. The study examines the existing protocols, their effectiveness, and the extent to which they are followed; it concludes with the recommendations to ensure the provision of quality health care for all.
About the Author
Clarice P. Ingraham hails from the picturesque island of Exumas, Bahamas. She is a registered nurse/midwife and a community health nurse. She has an MBA in public administration and is a health educator, advisor, and counselor. She is employed by the Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health, Nassau, The Bahamas.