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Description
During the project, home visits model will be implemented by a specially trained specialist who meets all requirements.
The project will work with women who can be assigned to at least one of the following groups: pregnant women (up to 22 weeks) (priority: women giving birth for the first time, young women <21 years old and older> 40 years old women), pregnant women (up to 22 weeks), living in a social risk environment and / or women with at least one of the listed risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, low social skills, socially unacceptable behavior, insecure social environment, criminal and criminal experience, mental health disorders and illnesses, insufficient parenting skills, poor couple / family relationships, intimate partner violence, lack of attachment to an existing child, poor living conditions, low self-esteem, low psychological resilience, neglect of the child, previous unwanted pregnancies. Services will be provided in Marijampolė county, priority will be given to the residents of rural areas, as this will increase the availability of services during the project.Duration of the project - 2 years plus 5 years continuity. The implementation of the project will provide direct benefits to 25 expectant and newborn mothers, whose maternal skills will be improved, easier to understand, adapt and raise children, and will have constant support and assistance that will improve and facilitate the mother''s daily life. The implementation of the project will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of social risk families living in Marijampolė County, children will grow up in a safer environment, and, thanks to Family Visiting Services, parents'' skills in raising children will be improved.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical issues and challenges faced by pregnant women, new mothers, and their families in Marijampolė County:
High-Risk Pregnancies: Many pregnant women, particularly those up to 22 weeks of gestation, face various risk factors, such as young or advanced maternal age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor living conditions. These factors increase the likelihood of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Insufficient Maternal Skills: Some women lack the necessary parenting skills and knowledge required for effective child-rearing. This gap can lead to difficulties in understanding, adapting, and raising children, potentially resulting in negative outcomes for both mother and child.
Social Risk Environment: Women living in socially risky environments, including those with a history of criminal behavior, mental health disorders, intimate partner violence, and poor family relationships, require additional support to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
Low Access to Services: Rural residents often have limited access to essential services, making it difficult for them to receive the support they need during pregnancy and early motherhood. The project aims to increase service availability for these women.
Mental Health and Well-being: Women with low self-esteem, low psychological resilience, and those experiencing mental health disorders and illnesses need targeted support to improve their mental health and overall well-being during and after pregnancy.
Child Neglect and Poor Development: Insufficient parenting skills and poor living conditions can lead to child neglect and hinder children''s development. Ensuring that mothers receive adequate training and support is crucial to creating a safer and more supportive environment for their children.
Lack of Support Systems: Many women, particularly those in rural areas, lack access to consistent support and assistance, which can make daily life challenging. Providing a reliable support system can help alleviate these difficulties.
Improving Quality of Life for Social Risk Families: Social risk families often struggle with various challenges that impact their quality of life. The project aims to improve the overall quality of life for these families by providing targeted support and services.
Impact on Local Institutions: Local hospitals and social workers also face challenges in addressing the needs of high-risk pregnant women and new mothers. The project aims to support these institutions by providing comprehensive services that reduce the burden on local healthcare and social services.
By addressing these issues, the project seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes, enhance parenting skills, and create a safer and more supportive environment for children in Marijampolė County.
The project undertook a range of activities and produced several key outputs to support pregnant women, new mothers, and their families in Marijampolė County:
Implementation of Family Visiting Services: The project introduced a model of home visits by specially trained specialist nurses who met all the criteria and educational requirements of the project. These nurses provided personalized support and assistance to pregnant women and new mothers in their homes.
Targeted Support for High-Risk Groups: Services were provided to pregnant women up to 22 weeks of gestation, with a priority given to first-time mothers, young women under 21, older women over 40, and those living in social risk environments. Women with risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, low social skills, mental health disorders, and poor living conditions were also prioritized.
Comprehensive Training for Nurses: Specialist nurses received comprehensive training to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality, personalized support to families. This training ensured that they could address a wide range of issues faced by the target group.
Regular Home Visits and Personalized Assistance: The trained nurses conducted regular home visits, providing personalized guidance on child supervision, health care, parenting skills, and coping strategies for managing stress and improving family relationships.
Education and Support Programs: The project developed and implemented educational programs and support groups for pregnant women and new mothers. These programs covered topics such as maternal health, infant care, nutrition, and effective parenting techniques.
Resource Distribution: Families received essential resources, including educational materials, health supplies, and tools to support their children''s development. These resources were tailored to meet the specific needs of each family.
Priority for Rural Residents: The project focused on increasing service availability for residents of rural areas, ensuring that these women received the support they needed despite geographical barriers.
Collaboration with Local Institutions: The project collaborated with local hospitals, social workers, and other institutions to identify women in the target group and provide coordinated support. This collaboration helped ensure that women received comprehensive care and assistance.
Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation: The project included a robust monitoring and evaluation component to track the effectiveness of the interventions. Data on health outcomes, parenting skills, and child development were collected and analyzed to measure the project''s impact.
Sustainable Impact: Although the project duration was two years, it aimed to continue its impact for another five years after the project''s end. This long-term approach ensured that the benefits of the project would be sustained over time.
Outputs:
- Direct Benefits to 25 Mothers: The project provided direct support to 25 expectant and new mothers, enhancing their maternal skills and helping them to better understand, adapt, and raise their children.
- Improved Parenting Skills: The mothers who participated in the project developed better parenting skills, which facilitated easier and more effective child-rearing.
- Constant Support and Assistance: The project ensured that mothers had constant support and assistance, improving their daily lives and reducing stress.
- Safer and Healthier Environment for Children: The children of the participating mothers benefited indirectly by living in a safer and more nurturing environment, which promoted better development and well-being.
- Enhanced Quality of Life for Social Risk Families: The overall quality of life for social risk families in Marijampolė County improved, thanks to the comprehensive support provided by the project.
By implementing these activities and achieving these outputs, the project made a significant positive impact on the health and well-being of pregnant women, new mothers, and their children in Marijampolė County.
The project achieved several significant results, positively impacting pregnant women, new mothers, their children, and the broader community in Marijampolė County:
Improved Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes:
- Reduction in Pregnancy Hypertension: The project led to a 27% decrease in the number of diagnoses of pregnancy hypertension among pregnant women.
- Lowered Risk of Premature Births: The risk of pre-mature childbirth (before 37 weeks) decreased by 28%, contributing to healthier births and reducing complications associated with premature delivery.
Enhanced Parenting Skills and Childcare:
- Direct Benefits to Mothers: 25 expectant and new mothers received direct support, significantly improving their maternal skills. These mothers became better equipped to understand, adapt to, and raise their children.
- Continuous Support: The constant support and assistance provided to mothers helped ease their daily lives, reducing stress and enhancing their ability to care for their children effectively.
Safer and More Nurturing Environment for Children:
- Decrease in Child Neglect: There was a 48% reduction in the number of cases of child neglect. Improved parenting skills and better living conditions contributed to this significant decrease.
- Positive Child Development: Children benefited indirectly by living in a safer, more supportive environment, leading to better physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Support for Vulnerable Families:
- Improved Quality of Life: The project contributed to improving the overall quality of life for social risk families living in Marijampolė County. Families facing various social and economic challenges received the support needed to create a more stable and healthy home environment.
- Increased Service Accessibility: Priority was given to rural residents, enhancing the accessibility of essential services for women who might otherwise have faced geographical barriers to receiving support.
Long-term Community Impact:
- Sustainable Practices: The project established a service model that continued to benefit the community for five years beyond the initial two-year project duration. This model serves as a sustainable approach to addressing maternal and child health issues in the long term.
- Educational Impact: The educational programs and workshops provided mothers with valuable knowledge and skills that have lasting benefits for their families.
Broader Community and Institutional Benefits:
- Local Hospitals and Social Workers: Local hospitals and social workers indirectly benefited from the project as it reduced their burden by providing comprehensive support services to high-risk families. This allowed them to focus on more critical cases and improved overall service efficiency.
- Community Awareness: The project''s outreach and awareness campaigns helped increase community understanding of the importance of early intervention and support for vulnerable families, fostering a more supportive community environment.
Beneficiaries:
- Primary Beneficiaries: Pregnant women, new mothers, and their children up to 2 years of age, especially those in rural areas and those facing social risks.
- Secondary Beneficiaries: Social risk families, local hospitals, social workers, and the broader community of Marijampolė County.
Overall, the project successfully enhanced maternal and child health outcomes, improved parenting skills, and created a safer, more supportive environment for children, thereby making a substantial positive impact on the lives of vulnerable families in Marijampolė County.