The Role of the Health Professional in Public Health Essay

Young Pregnancy is described as conceptions that include those that business lead onto a live birth and terminations in the under 18 age bracket.

Teenage pregnancy generally produces inequalities in health, and generally leads to poor long term results for both parents and the children according to the Department of Health (DH, 2013). Young Pregnancy declines into the class of a weak group. A vulnerable group can be defined as the ones that experience a higher risk of poverty and sociable exclusion compared to the general human population (European Percentage, 2009). In 2001, the federal government as part of the Young Pregnancy Technique launched the Surestart Plus pilot system which would provide funding in 20 areas that got the highest level of teenage pregnancy.

The aim of the initial scheme was to work with this prone group to tackle the reasons why they have lesser health and social outcomes, also to offer better antenatal and postnatal care to these mothers, and to provide opportunities in education and training to be able to increase their probability of a better outcome in life. The goal of this piece of work is to give attention to what makes teenage pregnancy get into the category of the vulnerable group, how cultural and economical factors identify a vulnerable group, and examine the impact that Sure Start Additionally has had upon teenage pregnancy.

As midwifes have been heavily involved with the scheme, it is vital to look into the position that the midwife has played in the project in order to evaluate whether or not the job was successful as a public welfare initiative which incorporates the principles of contribution, collaboration and equity. Britain has among the highest number of births every 1, 1000 women old 15-17 inside the European Union, staying five times that of the Netherlands, dual those in France and even more than twice those in Germany (family planning connection 2010). The teenage pregnant state rate offers dropped recently, with the believed number of concepts to women aged under 18 in britain and Wales in 2011 at its lowest since records began in 1969.

The number of ideas to women aged beneath 18 in 2011 was 23, 051 when compared with 45, 495 conceptions in 1969, a decrease of 32% (Office pertaining to National Figures (2013). This can be due to improved awareness of contraception through education in colleges and in the home. non-etheless, there exists still very much work to be done to bring the rate even more down with regards to the rest of Europe (DH 2013). CMACE (2011) insist that the most weak mothers in society are at higher risk of maternal death. Therefore , teenage pregnancy can impact a young woman’s health and wellbeing as well as limit her opportunities pertaining to continued education, therefore constraining career chances and socio-economic stability.

Although some teenage mothers are very good father and mother, evidence will suggest that children born to teenage parents have more possibility of poorer final results in life than patients born to older mothers and that kids of teen mothers usually continue fashionable, and finish up teenage mothers themselves (HM Government 2006). Berrington ain al (2005) claims that a mother’s age, disadvantaged background and low attendance of available antenatal care all contribute to poorer final results.

The outcomes to get both mother and kid associated with young pregnancy incorporate; late reserving for maternal services, smoking in being pregnant, poor diet plan and maternal health, unwanted birth and low labor and birth weight, newborn mortality, hospitalisation of the newborn, low breastfeeding rates, postnatal depression, cracked relationships possibly with a partner or perhaps family bringing about feelings of isolation and repeat unexpected pregnancies. These kinds of young women tend to leave school with no qualifications, and not return to education, therefore do not training and therefore are less likely to acquire employment. These types of mothers often end up in low income and poor housing even into the later years of their your life.

This is further more backed up simply by Lewis & Drife (2004), who claim that mortality and morbidity of babies created to teen mothers tend to have higher dangers of issues. Therefore , minimizing teenage motherhood is of superb significance in tackling the problem of overall health inequalities and child low income within this weak group within our society. The government’s Sociable Exclusion Record (1999) about teenage motherhood aimed to deal with the issue of teenage pregnancy.

The Report pointed out two main areas which were to be targeted; firstly, throughout the National Adolescent Pregnancy Approach, which aimed to decrease the pregnancy rate amongst the under 18 age group by half simply by 2010, and secondly, together with the aim to make that happen teenage father and mother and their children are better recognized in health and education to prevent the risk of long-term exclusion. A good way that this was to be achieved was through the Sure Start As well as pilot structure. Prior to this kind of, services for pregnant teens were not synchronised and there was clearly no particular remit pertaining to agencies to engage with teen parents, which will led to disengagement from the companies available.

The creation of the Children’s Act (2004) provided the legislative platform that was set out in Every Child Things document (2003) which highlighted 5/ outcomes which every single child and young person needs to have, being healthful, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a good contribution to society and economic well being. This action meant that local authorities had a obligation of care to put conditions in practice to help teenage mothers. The Department for Education and Expertise (DFES 2000) issued a guidance document( Surestart Unit 2000) which defined the seeks, objectives and related goals for the Sure Begin Plus pilot programme.

The core is designed set out at the beginning of the programme were to increase the social and emotional wellness of pregnant young women, young parents and their children, strengthen the families and communities of pregnant fresh women and youthful parents. Increase the learning of pregnant fresh women, young parents and their children, and improve the overall health of pregnant young women, young father and mother and their kids. Funding was made available for the top 20 Local Authorities with the maximum rate of teenage being pregnant.

The rates of late antenatal care and smoking in pregnancy and low delivery weight babies was considerably high in the 20 areas that received funding prior to the Sure Start off Plus initial scheme. Mackeith and Phillipson writing in (1997) said that teenagers that were provided the correct support could potentially turn into good parents and learn very good life expertise that could stop them coming from entering a lifetime of poverty and poor health. The Surestart preliminary scheme’s target was to build relationships teenage parents and examine and fulfil the demands of this susceptible group so they would have a brighter long term than what figures of fresh women in their situation directed to.

A single piloted place was Rochdale, where in 2001, one particular full time manager, 1 . 5 full time midwives and one half time support worker was employed to work particularly with pregnant teenagers, through home working, meeting in community spots and schools. Midwives had been particularly significant in this structure as they should be observed as the lead professional in typical, uncomplicated pregnancies and should include a strong place in the community wherever women can easily access all of them as their initial point of access in maternity services. Midwives happen to be in a exclusive position to offer health education to parents of every age, but in particular teenage moms where they might be seen as somebody they know and trust.

Midwives needs to have a good understanding and understanding of the health and social needs of the group in which they will work, and be able to identify weak groups within society and provide the appropriate support required. The RCM at the moment recommends that midwives understand their role as a public health medical specialist and should seek to give good quality care to all. The Sure Start Plus midwives had been specialist teenage pregnancy midwives who were trained to work outside the regular health remit of midwifery, and could actually provide information on real estate, benefits, romance problems, help in helping with educational requires, introduce support networks that have been available and assist in childcare needs.

These were to work specifically with teenage mothers and their companions if they had one out of more accessible methods would be even more acceptable to teenage mothers in a place that the small mother would feel comfortable. This kind of sometimes resulted in midwives will have to meet young mothers inside their homes, a friend’s residence, a restaurant or community venues and schools. Every teenage mother would acquire an overall evaluation of their individual needs, a holistic watch of the adolescent mother. This kind of enabled the midwife to produce a connection with the pregnant teenager, in order that the teenager may confide and trust the midwife, which usually would bring about mutual admiration.

At times, it could be difficult intended for midwives to comprehend and handle the issues involved with these prone groups also to accept decisions and actions of the girls involved. Nevertheless , the midwife must do not forget that they are presently there in an advisory role to aid and not presently there to make the decisions for these women. (Bowden 2006) Mackeith and Phillipson (1997) in writing about young moms claims that being judgemental against fresh mothers accomplishes only lowered self -esteem in the woman, resentment and breaks down the partnership between mom and midwife, this in turn leaves it tougher for the midwife to encourage the young girls as she is less willing to take the knowledge she has presented her on side as there is no mutual value.

A review executed in 2009, discovered that 12. 5% of pregnant teens seen in 3 years ago quit smoking because of the support of specialist midwives and cigarette smoking cessation solutions. This has improved to doze. 5% in 2008.

Ladies breastfeeding around the labour ward increased by 32. 6% in 2007 to 41. 9% in 2008. All those receiving support from their households and the neighborhood had increased from seventy seven.

7% in 2007 to 84. 8% in 08. The Jonction in Rochdale reports that a figure of 50% of young parents aged 16-19 in Rochdale in Education, Employment and Training (2011) compared with the national normal of 32%.

These results make it clear the fact that midwife has received a very great and far reaching role in improving the skills obtained as well as the overall well being of this prone group. The midwife has an important function midwife in referring people within a a comprehensive team for example Social Providers if required, either for additional support or child protection. Being pregnant can be a golden opportunity for susceptible young people to be in contact with services for the first time and get further health and sex education.

This might be an opportunity to allow them to turn their particular life about knowing that there is a baby to manage. For some it can be their first opportunity to give and/or acquire love plus the support of trained professionals can drive this. It has to be taken into account that not most teenage pregnancy are mishaps and unwanted, and some may be accidents but nevertheless wanted.

Individuals involved just require the mandatory support available. Also, only some teenage moms are lacking abilities to become a father or mother and some are very good with the appropriate support. A whole lot of this support coming from a midwife. A midwife is also competed in providing the vulnerable group with suggestions on healthy and balanced eating, child support, parent craft, lovemaking health, and contraceptive tips with the intention of avoiding any further undesired pregnancies.

The Sure Start Plus National Evaluation Statement (2005), located that the contexts within which will Sure Begin Plus programs worked change in relation to human population demographics, relationship with regional authority limitations; level of additional specialist services provision, and programme financing. The Statement also found a lack of obvious identity for the program has established confusion that might have reduced its affect on popular services. The name Sure Start Plus’ was regarded as inappropriate as the similarity to Sure Start off creates misunderstandings and because it is far from easily recognized with teenage pregnancy or parenting.

Nevertheless , the Record found the fact that programmes worked successfully together with NHS antenatal services; Cha?ne; the education assistance; Sure Commence and the Teen Pregnancy Co-ordinator. Today the scheme is known as the Fresh Parents Support Service, and a specialist Young adult Parent Midwife work just with pregnant teenagers and trained with all the complexities of young parents, as well as offering contraceptive advice and installing contraceptive implants to reduce repeat teenage pregnancy. Advice and counselling in whether or not the young woman desires to keep her baby or have an abortion or place it up for usage, the midwife plays the role of counsellor in this capacity for these women to talk through their options.

Furthermore, the Midwifery 2020 motivation aims to strengthen the function of the midwife in public wellness. In conclusion, it is clear that teenage being pregnant is a concern in the UK today and the large rates need to be combated to reduce social exemption and starvation in these vulnerable young people and ultimately youngsters. One way which has been initiated to deal with this issue is the Sure Begin Plus structure, which can be seen from the data above, has been successful inside the areas that it has been operated.

However , concerns of finance remain a concern but it must remain that help remains to be for the most weak of these young people. The position of the midwife in ensuring the success of the scheme have been vital, because they are the person which the pregnant young deals with one of the most and is specially trained to treat all of the young adults social, personal and in some cases economic problems. The statistics clearly show that a midwives involvement provides improved the health and cultural mobility from the pregnant teen.

This should have far reaching ramifications for all midwives as they are conditioned to deal with girls from everyone and areas, but illustrates to all that special accord and treatment should be provided when coping with this weak group. The scheme has raised awareness for all midwives and not just the ones that are specially trained to handle pregnant teens. However , probably further training could be directed at all new midwives, due to the excessive rate of pregnant young adults in the UK.