Maternal and Neonatal Health
NCP's work in maternal health focuses primarily on micronutrient deficiency, namely anemia and iodine deficiency.
Anemia among pregnant and lactating women in the Philippines continues to be a problem, with 43 out of every 100 pregnant women testing positive to anemia, according to National Nutrition Surveys. Mandatory food fortification alone is not sufficient to address anemia in the population. In partnership with the Department of Health, NCP demonstrated through an operational research study that empowering health workers to dispense iron and folic acid tablets increases hemoglobin levels and antenatal care visits of expecting mothers. However, the supply and financing of iron and folic acid supplementation on a large scale, remains a challenge due to the decentralized nature of health care in the Philippines. NCP continues to work contractually with other agencies, supporting the goal of improving maternal and neonatal care. |
Maternal Health Research
Three-country operations research study to increase use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) among pregnant women with high probability of preterm birth
This was a multi-country research study which NCP was tasked to implement in the participating centers in the Philippines. The participating centers were in Pangasinan, Cebu, Davao, Nueva Ecija, Northern Samar, and Misamis Occidental. This started in September 2013 and was completed in September 2014.
This was a multi-country research study which NCP was tasked to implement in the participating centers in the Philippines. The participating centers were in Pangasinan, Cebu, Davao, Nueva Ecija, Northern Samar, and Misamis Occidental. This started in September 2013 and was completed in September 2014.
Baseline Survey in the Visayas Region for the VisayasHealth Project
NCP implemented the Baseline Survey in the Visayas for this project. This started in Sept 2013 and was completed in August 2014. The areas covered were Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, and Samar.
NCP implemented the Baseline Survey in the Visayas for this project. This started in Sept 2013 and was completed in August 2014. The areas covered were Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, and Samar.
HealthPRO – Behavior Change and Communication Implementation of Health Promotion Communication Training, Community Mobilization and Mass Media Support Activities in the Provinces of Negros Occidental, North Leyte and West Samar.
NCP was a local replicating agent (LRA) for the HealthPRO project in Negros Occidental, North Leyte and Western Samar. This project started in October 2009 and was completed in April 2012.
NCP was a local replicating agent (LRA) for the HealthPRO project in Negros Occidental, North Leyte and Western Samar. This project started in October 2009 and was completed in April 2012.
Revised Iron Supplementation Delivery System for Pregnant Women
In partnership with the Philippine Department of Health, NCP evaluated the impact of an iron supplementation delivery system for pregnant Filipino women.
This study empowered health workers to identify, counsel and provide iron supplements to pregnant women in the community. Post-study surveys found there was an increase in mean hemoglobin and number of health visits per trimester in the experimental group. The women in the experimental group were also four times more likely to take iron tablets.
In partnership with the Philippine Department of Health, NCP evaluated the impact of an iron supplementation delivery system for pregnant Filipino women.
This study empowered health workers to identify, counsel and provide iron supplements to pregnant women in the community. Post-study surveys found there was an increase in mean hemoglobin and number of health visits per trimester in the experimental group. The women in the experimental group were also four times more likely to take iron tablets.