Effectiveness of Home Visits by Public Health Workers in Maternal and Child Health in Naga City
Leah Licup-Periña
Discipline: midwifery
Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of home visits conducted by public health workers
(PHW), specifically public health nurses and midwives, in promoting maternal and child health in
Naga City. The study utilized a descriptive research design with 45 purposively selected PHW
(22 midwives and 23 nurses) as respondents. The majority of the 45 respondents were female
(91.1%), aged 28-57 years old, and had been serving for 1-10 years. Most of them (33.3%)
served up to 1,000 families, while only a small percentage served more than 3,000 families. Only
one respondent fell within the youngest age group of 18-27. A survey questionnaire was used
as the primary research instrument, which contained three parts: the respondents’ profile, the
effectiveness of home visits on maternal health, and the effectiveness of home visits on child
health outcomes. The gathered data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the results
showed that home visits by public health workers are perceived to be effective in improving
maternal and child health outcomes across various domains. However, there is still room for
improvement in addressing maternal mental health issues economic needs, and reducing delays
in seeking medical care. The researcher proposed a needs assessment nursing intervention to
identify the specific healthcare needs of Naga City women, improve the delivery of home visits by
Public Health Nurses and Midwives, and eventually enhance maternal and child health outcomes
in Naga City.
References:
- Austria, K. S. (2023). PH gov’t committed to addressing shortage of healthcare workers. Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/04/14/ph-govt-committed-to-addressing-shortage-of-healthcare-workers
- Bower, K. M., Nimer, M., West, A. L., & Gross, D. (2020). Parent involvement in maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs: An integrative review. Prevention Science, 21(5), 728–747. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-020-01129-z
- CNN Philippines Staff. (n.d.). Healthcare firm offers home services for patients. CNN Philippines. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/4/23/Healthcare-firm-offers-home-services-for-patients.html
- Coster, S., Watkins, M., & Norman, I. J. (2018). What is the impact of professional nursing on patients’ outcomes globally? An overview of research evidence. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 78, 76–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.10.009
- Fedilo, K. J. E. (2021). First 1000 days manual of procedures, finally out! Sulong First 1000 Days in Region 4A. National Nutrition Council. https://nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/luzon/region-iv-a-calabarzon/6196-first-1000-days-manual-of-procedures-finally-out-sulong-first-1000-days-in-region-4a
- Goldfeld, S., Bryson, H., Mensah, F., Gold, L., Orsini, F., Perlen, S., Price, A., Hiscock, H., Grobler, A., Dakin, P., Bruce, T., Harris, D., & Kemp, L. (2021). Nurse home visiting and maternal mental health: 3-year follow-up of a randomized trial. Pediatrics, 147(2), e2020025361. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-025361
- Gubbels, J., Van Der Put, C. E., Stams, G.-J. J. M., Prinzie, P. J., & Assink, M. (2021). Components associated with the effect of home visiting programs on child maltreatment: A meta-analytic review. Child Abuse & Neglect, 114, 104981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.104981
- Janmohamed, A., Sohani, N., Lassi, Z., & Bhutta, Z. (2020). The effects of community home visit and peer group nutrition intervention delivery platforms on nutrition outcomes in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 12(2), 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020440
- Kliem, S., & Sandner, M. (2021). Prenatal and infancy home visiting in Germany: 7-year outcomes of a randomized trial. Pediatrics, 148(2), e2020049610. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-049610
- Le Roux, K. W., Almirol, E., Rezvan, P. H., Le Roux, I. M., Mbewu, N., Dippenaar, E., Stansert-Katzen, L., Baker, V., Tomlinson, M., & Rotheram-Borus, M. J. (2020). Community health workers’ impact on maternal and child health outcomes in rural South Africa – A non-randomized two-group comparison study. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1404. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09468-w
- Leirbakk, M. J., Torper, J., Engebretsen, E., Opsahl, J. N., Zeanah, P., & Magnus, J. H. (2018). Formative research in the development of a salutogenic early intervention home visiting program integrated in public child health service in a multiethnic population in Norway. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 741. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3544-5
- Mallari, E., Lasco, G., Sayman, D. J., Amit, A. M. L., Balabanova, D., McKee, M., Mendoza, J., Palileo-Villanueva, L., Renedo, A., Seguin, M., & Palafox, B. (2020). Connecting communities to primary care: A qualitative study on the roles, motivations and lived experiences of community health workers in the Philippines. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 860. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05699-0
- Mamauag, B. L., Alampay, L. P., Lachman, J. M., Madrid, B. J., Hutchings, J., Ward, C. L., & Gardner, F. (2021). A South-to-South cultural adaptation of an evidence-based parenting program for families in the Philippines. Family Process, 60(4), 1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12625
- Maravilla, J., Catiwa, J., Guariño, R., Yap, J. F., Pagatpatan, C., Orolfo, D. D., De Silos, J., Leigh, M. C., Babate, J., & Lopez, V. (2023). Exploring indirect impacts of COVID-19 on local health systems from the perspectives of health workers and higher education stakeholders in the Philippines using a phenomenological approach. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 30, 100585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100585
- Molloy, C., Beatson, R., Harrop, C., Perini, N., & Goldfeld, S. (2021). Systematic review: Effects of sustained nurse home visiting programs for disadvantaged mothers and children. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(1), 147–161. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14576
- Ngaya-an, F. V., De Torres, R. Q., Tejero, L. M. S., & Fowler, C. (2020). An integrative review of home visiting programs for mothers and infants from birth to 12 months in developed and underdeveloped countries. Acta Medica Philippina. https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v43i2.2536
- Ngaya-an, F. V., De Torres, R. Q., Tejero, L. M. S., & Pacquiao, D. F. (2021). Significance of home visiting in providing care to Filipino mothers and their infants during the postpartum period. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 32(5), 551–557. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659620959703
- Nygren, P., Green, B., Winters, K., & Rockhill, A. (2018). What’s happening during home visits? Exploring the relationship of home visiting content and dosage to parenting outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 22(S1), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2547-5
- Querri, A. G., Ohkado, A., Kawatsu, L., Bermejo, J., Vianzon, A., Recidoro, M. J., & Medina, A. (2020). Assessment of the role of community health volunteers in delivering primary health care in Manila, the Philippines. Journal of International Health, 15–25. https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/gim/resource/pt/wpr-822037
- Ramirez, L. (2023). DOH, WHO, KOICA partnership empowers local authorities in improving the health of mothers, children, and teens in the Philippines. World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines. https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/24-08-2023-doh--who--koica-partnership-empowers-local-authorities--in-improving-the-health-of-mothers--children--and-teens-in-the-philippines
- Reaching every community with maternal and newborn health education in Maco. (2018). World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines. https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/reaching-every-community-with-maternal-and-newborn-health-education-in-maco
- Robling, M., Lugg-Widger, F. V., Cannings-John, R., Angel, L., Channon, S., Fitzsimmons, D., Hood, K., Kenkre, J., Moody, G., Owen-Jones, E., Pockett, R. D., Sanders, J., Segrott, J., & Slater, T. (2022). Nurse-led home-visitation programme for first-time mothers in reducing maltreatment and improving child health and development (BB:2-6): Longer-term outcomes from a randomised cohort using data linkage. BMJ Open, 12(2), e049960. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049960
- Rosanbalm, K. D., & Murray, D. W. (2017). Promoting self-regulation in the first five years: A practice brief. OPRE Brief 2017-79. Administration for Children & Families. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED583624
- Rudick, S., Fields, E., Poes, M., Glisson, R., Butts-Dion, S., Lewis, E. F., Elliott, K., & Mackrain, M. (2020). How home visiting can support parent-child interactions. EDC. https://www.edc.org/how-home-visiting-can-support-parent-child-interactions
ISSN 2799-0583 (Online)
ISSN 2782-9413 (Print)