YOUTH AS A RESOURCE FOR IMPROVED MATERNAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS

Abstract

Background and objectives The world’s state of maternal health and well-being remains stunted by global inequities. Action continues to be needed for the optimisation of maternal health and well-being. Action must consider how youth can be agents of change. While youth are an often-marginalised group, they are a valuable resource to their communities. Our objectives were to investigate the maternal-neonatal health context in a Haitian community after implementation of a new maternity unit, to assess the impact of youth-led community-based interventions in low- and middle-income countries on community maternal-neonatal health, and to explore near-miss maternal experiences among Haitian youth. Methods This research is primarily based in Haiti, but also concerns research in low-resource settings, involving youth. This research uses a variety of methodologies, including an interrupted time series study of the impact of health facility infrastructure on maternal-neonatal outcomes, a systematic review of the effect of youth-led interventions for improved maternal-neonatal health, and a Photovoice study of youth perspectives of maternal near-misses. Results and conclusions In our research in Haiti, we found that there is some evidence in support of creating new health facilities in the overall effectiveness of positively impacting and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. For youth-led interventions in low-income and middle-income countries, we concluded that there was no significant effect on antenatal care coverage or youth pregnancy. More studies are needed to understand how youth may be most effective in influencing community health among their peers or other community members. Research among youth with experiences of maternal near-misses in Haiti illuminated challenges related to social context, structural, systemic and political forces, experiences of pain and suffering, search for support and solutions for improved health and well-being. Our findings highlight a need to address multiple, intersecting issues of maternal health and well-being in this rural Haitian community.