Karen Poch
NUR4165
The main topic addressed in both of my articles was infant and maternal mortality and
morbidity. Though both articles centered around research done in South Africa, it is still an issue
that affects the United States as well. The CDC (2016) defines the infant mortality rate as the
number of infant deaths that occur for every 1000 live births. The WHO defines maternal
pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or
aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes”
(WHO, 2016). Both of these sources also state that infant and maternal mortality are higher in
the United States than in comparable developed countries. The articles focused more on the
social factors leading to both mortalities. Poverty, and the circumstances that then arise from
poverty, is something that is addressed by the qualitative article as well as the World Health
Organization as a leading cause of infant and maternal death in South Africa, the United States,
and globally. Inadequate services are another cause of infant mortality, and provision of services
designed to lower both maternal and infant death rates was the aim of the quantitative study
found.
The quantitative article chosen was a retrospective design. The hypotheses of this study
were as follows; “1. There is no significant difference between maternal and child mortality rate.
2. There is no significant effect of MSS (Midwives Service Scheme) on antenatal care attendant
records. 3. There is no significant difference between the choice of family planning method
practised by women in the study area” (Adeyemo & Enuku, 2014, p. 30). The results of the
quantitative study showed that before the introduction of MSS, both child and mother mortality
were higher, before MSS was introduced, attendant record was lower than after, and the data
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showed that there was a significant difference in choice of family planning. The most popular
form of birth control in the sample was injections. All quantitative data showed significance.
The qualitative article chosen was a descriptive study. The purpose of the article was “to
trace, from the women’s perspective, the underlying conditions that expose women and their
neonates to the risk of ill-health and mortality in South African communities” (Mmusi-Phetoe,
2016). The results of the study were as follows. Four major themes that were identified as
important social factors in morbidity and mortality were apparent in the study; nutrition, neglect
by male partners, pregnancy itself, and abuse. Lack of adequate nutrition was the most
reoccurring and major of the themes. The second most important determinant of poor health
outcomes was neglect and abandonment by male partners. It was narrated as a deeply degrading
and humiliating experience that results in ill health. All participants mentioned being either
physically, emotionally, or financially abused. Pregnancy itself was also identified as a factor,
both before, during, and after giving birth. Poverty was another main underlying factor.
Both articles show many implications for future research. The Midwives Service Scheme
from the quantitative study proved to be a success intervention in reducing child and infant
mortality in South Africa. This is an intervention that could be implemented and studied in not
only other countries in Africa, but also other countries around the world. The qualitative study
recommended that maternal and infant health not be treated as disease-specific and should
instead focus on social factors. Future research could use the social factors identified in this
study (nutrition, neglect by male partners, pregnancy itself, abuse, and as an over arching theme,
poverty) as a basis for future research. As an issue that is still prevalent in the United States, as
well as many other countries around the world, research on infant and maternal mortality rates
and factors is integral to improving the health of current and future generations.
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References
Adeyemo, F. O., & Enuku, C. A. (2014). Effectiveness of midwives' service scheme in the
reduction of maternal and child mortality rate. West African Journal Of Nursing, 25(2),
27-36.
Infant mortality. (2016, September 28). Retrieved July 26, 2017, from
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs348/en/