Modified Essential Newborn Care lecture 1 : definition, importance, goals and objectives and impact
Overview
Modified Essential Newborn Care (MENC) is a program designed to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of newborns in Nigeria. It is a modification of the Essential Newborn Care (ENC) program, which is a set of practices that improve the health of newborns in their first week of life. The MENC program expands on the ENC program by including additional practices that are specifically targeted to the Nigerian context.
Definition of Modified Essential Newborn Care in the Nigerian context
The Modified Essential Newborn Care (MENC) program includes a set of practices that are designed to improve the health of newborns in Nigeria. These practices include:
- Early initiation of breastfeeding
- Exclusive breastfeeding
- Kangaroo Mother Care
- Prevention of hypothermia
- Prevention of infections
- Management of birth asphyxia
- Management of neonatal jaundice
- Prevention and management of low birth weight
- Early identification and management of danger signs
- Provision of postnatal care
The MENC program is designed to be delivered at primary health care centers in Nigeria, where most women give birth. It is intended to be delivered by health care workers who have been trained in the program.
Importance of Modified Essential Newborn Care in Nigeria
The MENC program is important for several reasons. First, it is designed to improve the health of newborns in Nigeria, where the infant mortality rate is high. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has the second-highest number of newborn deaths in the world, with 117,000 newborns dying each year. The MENC program is intended to reduce this number.
Second, the MENC program is designed to be delivered at primary health care centers, which are the first point of contact for most women who give birth. By improving the quality of care at these centers, the MENC program has the potential to improve the health of newborns throughout Nigeria.
Goals and objectives of the course
The goals of the MENC program are to:
- Reduce the number of newborn deaths in Nigeria
- Improve the health of newborns in Nigeria
- Improve the quality of care at primary health care centers in Nigeria
- The objectives of the MENC program are to:
- Increase the proportion of newborns who are breastfed within one hour of birth
- Increase the proportion of newborns who are exclusively breastfed
- Increase the proportion of low-birth-weight newborns who receive kangaroo mother care
- Increase the proportion of newborns who are kept warm and prevented from hypothermia
- Increase the proportion of newborns who are protected from infections
- Improve the management of birth asphyxia
- Improve the management of neonatal jaundice
- Improve the prevention and management of low birth weight
- Increase the proportion of newborns who receive postnatal care
- Increase the proportion of newborns who are identified and managed for danger signs
10 most common question that is good to know about it
- What is Modified Essential Newborn Care (MENC)?
- How is MENC different from Essential Newborn Care (ENC)?
- What are the practices included in the MENC program?
- Who is the MENC program intended for?
- Why is the MENC program important in Nigeria?
- What are the goals of the MENC program?
- What are the objectives of the MENC program?
- How is the MENC program delivered?
- What are the potential benefits of the MENC program?
- What is the impact of the MENC
Impact of the MENC Program
The MENC program has had a significant impact on the health of newborns in Nigeria. According to a study published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, the MENC program has improved the quality of care at primary health care centers in Nigeria and increased the proportion of newborns who receive essential newborn care practices. Specifically, the study found that the MENC program has increased the proportion of newborns who receive early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, kangaroo mother care, and postnatal care.
Another study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that the MENC program has reduced the incidence of hypothermia, neonatal infections, and neonatal mortality in Nigeria. The study also found that the program has increased the proportion of newborns who are breastfed within one hour of birth, receive kangaroo mother care, and receive postnatal care.
In addition to these studies, there is anecdotal evidence from health care workers and mothers in Nigeria that the MENC program has had a positive impact on the health of newborns. Health care workers report that they are better equipped to provide high-quality care to newborns, and mothers report that they are more aware of the importance of essential newborn care practices.
Conclusion :
Modified Essential Newborn Care is a program that is designed to improve the health of newborns in Nigeria. It is an adaptation of the Essential Newborn Care program that includes additional practices that are specific to the Nigerian context. The MENC program is important because it has the potential to reduce the number of newborn deaths in Nigeria and improve the quality of care at primary health care centers. The program has had a significant impact on the health of newborns in Nigeria, and there is evidence to suggest that it has the potential to further improve the health of newborns in the country. By focusing on the health of newborns, the MENC program has the potential to contribute to the overall health and well-being of the Nigerian population.
