Changes in the health systems and policy environment for maternal and newborn health, 2008–2018: An analysis of data from 78 low-income and middle-income countries

Stierman, Elizabeth; Maliqi, Blerta; Mary, Meighan; Dohlsten, Martin; Katwan, Elizabeth; Moran, Allisyn C; Creanga, Andreea A.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115765

Cited by 1 publication

(5 citation statements)

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“…Parental leave may lead to better maternal, infant and child health45 through higher uptake of immunisation, breastfeeding and PNC services 46 47. However, the offer of parental leave and other benefits is often limited due to economic constraints, social and political norms, pre-existing inequalities and other complex factors, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries 19 20 48…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Once country policies and legislations are updated to meet these standards, it becomes imperative to monitor and evaluate their implementation and effects over time. Mechanisms exist to monitor and report on interdisciplinary priority policies and targets,12 19 20 44 57 including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets on health, including contraception and other SDGs related to breastfeeding, birth registration, social protection and maternity benefit coverage, sexual and reproductive rights, and ending discrimination and violence against women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 46 47 However, the offer of parental leave and other benefits is often limited due to economic constraints, social and political norms, pre-existing inequalities and other complex factors, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. 19 20 48 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A variety of international documents exist to support women, newborns and families in the postnatal period, which can facilitate an enabling environment for the implementation of the PNC guideline. Yet, in many countries, insufficient legislative commitments have been made for priority indicators on maternity protection (measures to protect the health of the woman and newborn and provide employment and income security during maternity) or regulation against the marketing of breastmilk substitutes 19 20. There is no comprehensive mapping of international legal and political documents (such as treaties, conventions, and interpretations of legal and political commitments) relevant to the postnatal period and the implementation of PNC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, in many countries, insufficient legislative commitments have been made for priority indicators on maternity protection (measures to protect the health of the woman and newborn and provide employment and income security during maternity) or regulation against the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. 19 20 There is no comprehensive mapping of international legal and political documents (such as treaties, conventions, and interpretations of legal and political commitments) relevant to the postnatal period and the implementation of PNC. Providing a mapping of how these documents relate to the WHO recommendations on PNC could thereby help national legislators, policymakers, programme managers, and civil society organisations strengthen the design and/or review of existing policies, strategies and practices to create an enabling and empowering environment for PNC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating international policy standards in the implementation of postnatal care: a rapid review

Smith,

Wojcieszek,

Gupta

et al. 2024

BMJ Glob Health

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IntroductionInternational legal and political documents can assist policy-makers and programme managers in countries to create an enabling environment to promote maternal and newborn health. This review aimed to map and summarise international legal and political documents relevant to the implementation of the WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience.MethodsRapid review of relevant international legal and political documents, including legal and political commitments (declarations, resolutions and treaties) and interpretations (general comments, recommendations from United Nations human rights treaty bodies, joint United Nations statements). Documents were mapped to the domains presented in the WHO postnatal care (PNC) recommendations; relating to maternal care, newborn care, and health systems and health promotion interventions, and by type of human right implied and/or stated in the documents.ResultsTwenty-nine documents describing international legal and political commitments and interpretations were mapped, out of 45 documents captured. These 29 documents, published or entered into force between 1944 and 2020, contained content relevant to most of the domains of the PNC recommendations, most prominently the domains of breastfeeding and health systems interventions and service delivery arrangements. The most frequently mapped human rights were the right to health and the right to social security.ConclusionExisting international legal and political documents can inform and encourage policy and programme development at the country level, to create an enabling environment during the postnatal period and thereby support the provision and uptake of PNC and improve health outcomes for women, newborns, children and families. Governments and civil society organisations should be aware of these documents to support efforts to protect and promote maternal and newborn health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%