Despite ongoing global health efforts, newborn health outcomes in low-income countries like Sierra Leone and Cambodia remain suboptimal. Affected by structural and biopsychosocial determinants, these vulnerable populations face limited healthcare access, poor nutrition, and inadequate hygiene. Effective strategies require a multi-dimensional approach encompassing not only health service delivery but also the broader determinants of health.
The 3 Delays Model
The 3 Delays Model serves as a useful framework for addressing maternal and neonatal health challenges. The model identifies three key areas of delay that can contribute to adverse health outcomes:
Delay in recognizing the need for care and seeking appropriate help.
Delay in reaching health care facilities due to accessibility issues.
Delay in receiving appropriate care due to limited resources, lack of skilled healthcare providers or systemic issues within the healthcare system.
Addressing Structural and Biopsychosocial Determinants
However, the 3 Delays Model is not sufficient on its own. Effective interventions must also address the structural and biopsychosocial determinants that influence health outcomes. Poverty, lack of education, and poor living conditions can drastically impact the health of mothers and newborns. As such, a comprehensive approach would involve tackling these social determinants, improving nutrition, enhancing hygiene and sanitation, and improving access to quality healthcare.
Community-Based Interventions
Community-based interventions can play a vital role in improving newborn health. Strategies such as promoting breastfeeding and educating families about hygiene can contribute to better health outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a multi-faceted approach is needed to address newborn health in low-income countries. Such an approach should include improvements to healthcare infrastructure, interventions to address social determinants of health, and community-based strategies. Only through a comprehensive strategy can optimal health outcomes for newborns be achieved.
References
Rodo, M., Duclos, D., DeJong, J., Akik, C., & Singh, N. S. (2022). A systematic review of newborn health interventions in humanitarian settings. BMJ Global Health, 7(7). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009082
Upadhyay, R. P., Rai, S. K., & Krishnan, A. (2012). Using three delays model to understand the social factors responsible for neonatal deaths in rural Haryana, India. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 59(2), 100–105. https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fms060