More information
Description
A child can develop fully and harmoniously only by growing up in his family, feeling happiness, love, understanding, parental care and responsibility. According to the health indicators (Institute of Hygiene), the number of children born to young mothers (aged 15-19) in Pakruojis district is significantly higher than the LT average. Also, the share of infants breastfed up to 6 months in Pakruojis district is about 25-30% lower and children under 1 year age mortality is higher than the LT average. The data of Pakruojis PHCC show that about 20-30% all pregnant women have risk factors such as smoking, lack of parenting skills, previous unwanted pregnancies, and additional risk factors such as poor relationships, domestic violence, poor living conditions, low self-esteem, insecure social environment, pregnant women could reach 40-50%. In order to improve the physical and mental health of expectant mothers in Pakruojis district, it is planned to implement the family visiting model, providing early intervention services, in Pakruojis PHCC and provide services. The aim of the project is to provide support and improve information for expectant mothers in Pakruojis district during pregnancy, after childbirth and until the children reach the age of 2. The target group - expectant mothers who have given birth and have been selected to participate in the project before the children reach the age of 2. During the implementation of the project, the car, equipment and tools required for the provision of services will be purchased and a qualified specialist will be trained. The provision will help mothers make informed decisions about their childcare to ensure the well-being of vulnerable mothers, infants and children under 2 years of age. Services are expected to be used by at least 25 families per year.
Summary of project results
Child abuse is one of the public health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three out of four children between the ages of 2 and 4 are regularly subjected to physical punishment or psychological violence by their parents or guardians. One in five women and one in thirteen men say they were sexually abused in infancy and childhood. Children who experience domestic violence and neglect are also more likely to be violent themselves.
The goal of the project is to improve prevention and reduce health inequalities in the municipality of Pakruojis district.
The project aimed to provide support and improve information for expectant mothers during pregnancy, after birth and up to the age of 2, providing high-quality services to help mothers make informed decisions about childcare, in order to ensure that vulnerable mothers, babies and children up to the age of 2 years.
The project provided support and improved information to expectant mothers during pregnancy, after childbirth and up to the age of 2 years. High-quality early intervention services were provided to help mothers make informed decisions about childcare to ensure the well-being of vulnerable mothers, infants and children up to 2 years of age.
For this purpose, the job position of Family Visitation Specialist was created in Pakruojis Primary Health Care Center. Using the "Nurse and Family Partnership" program, a model of providing family visits and early intervention services was developed and implemented in the municipality of Pakruojis district during the project.
Specialists of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences helped the Family Visitation specialist to acquire "soft" competences, allowing to provide primary preventive intervention to at-risk families throughout the project implementation period, and also advised him periodically during supervisions.
Project target groups: first-time pregnant young (under 21) and older (over 40) women living in a social risk environment and their children under 2 years old, other family members, community, society.
During the implementation of the project, more than 25 women who were pregnant and gave birth in the Pakruojis district municipality were regularly visited, giving priority to those living in rural areas. The Family Visiting Specialist provided each family with 70-96 percent of the scheduled 64 visits.
A car was purchased with the funds of the project, as well as tools and equipment needed to provide services.
Those families were provided with preventive assistance, they were constantly monitored and counselled. Women were taught how to take care of their health and hygiene, childcare, and how to live healthier. The state of health of the mother and baby or child, as well as the development of the child, were periodically assessed.