Maternal and Child Health Nursing Practices in Developing Countries

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal and child health (MCH) remains a major public health priority in developing countries, where preventable maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality continue to be high. Nurses play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive MCH services, including antenatal, intranatal, postnatal, and child healthcare. This study aims to assess MCH nursing practices and identify key factors influencing effective service delivery in developing countries.

Material and Methods: A narrative review was reported among MCH nurses working in selected healthcare facilities in developing countries. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, MCH nursing practices, availability of resources, and perceived barriers to care. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data and identify factors associated with effective MCH nursing practices.

Results: The findings revealed that the majority of nurses demonstrated satisfactory practices in antenatal care, immunization services, growth monitoring, and health education. However, gaps were reported in postnatal follow-up, emergency obstetric care, and neonatal resuscitation practices. Factors significantly associated with improved nursing practices included years of clinical experience, availability of essential supplies, in-service training, and supportive supervision. Resource constraints, high workload, and limited continuing education opportunities were reported as major challenges.

Conclusion: MCH nursing practices in developing countries are pivotal to improving MCH outcomes. Strengthening nursing education,
ensuring adequate resources, and providing regular training and supportive supervision can enhance the quality of MCH services. Targeted policy interventions focusing on capacity building and health system strengthening are essential to improve MCH indicators in developing settings.