Considering Dr. Lamphear’s video, I strongly advise that all
pregnant mothers should receive preconception counseling, have access to antenatal
care, alcohol and tobacco cessation during pregnancy.
The healthcare provider has
responsibility to advised the pregnant mothers to stop smoking and drinking as soon
as they became aware of their pregnancy, because alcohol and tobacco can harm
their babies. Couple should be provided with alcohol and narcotics counseling and
help hotlines, and also be refer them to treatment facilities.
Pregnant mothers
should also be educated that studies showed that the overall health of the
mother, nutrition health, appropriate exercise, and early regular prenatal care
are among many factors that contribute to a health baby and could possibly reduce
the effects of prenatal toxins exposures.
Mothers should also be educated on
how to avoid lead from water, and homes with lead paints. Exposure to this powerful neurotoxic metal can cause
permanent brain damage, nervous system disorders, behavior and learning
difficulties, and hyperactivity. It can also slow down a child's growth, both
in utero and after birth.
I serve on the Patient Education Committee at a hospital in the area. We are currently discussing the importance of health literacy in patient communications. What is crucial is to make the material easily assimilated by the patient/family. We have decided to aim our materials for those with the equivalent of a 6th-8th grade education; that is typically the standard used by mass media as well.
ReplyDeleteWe're also considering initiating health literacy screenings before starting most patient education.
I agree with David and you Chika, that making the information more assimilated to the vulnerable groups will diminish the negative health consequences in the pre-natal population. . We, as nurse educators and care givers do a lot of the teaching in the community so it is imperative that through our education in this program, as we are exposed to the new knowledge of neurotoxins and environmental injustice and racism, that we will be more proactive in serving our community members in non-disparate ways.
ReplyDelete