Global Health Master’s Student Leads New Safe Motherhood Initiative in Haiti

In response to an expressed need for more programs that address maternal mortality in rural Haiti, midwife and Duke Master of Science in Global Health student Marnie Cooper-Priest is leading a small team that seeks to improve the prognosis for mothers and their newborns.

The Safe Motherhood Initiative will provide training to expectant mothers and midwives on a variety of topics related to maternal health. Cooper-Priest is working with DGHI member and physician David Walmer on the program through his nonprofit organization Family Health Ministries (FHM). The effort is focused in two communities: the southern coastal plains of Leogane and the rural mountain community of Fondwa.

The initiative grew out of FHM’s advisory group made up of Haitian women. This summer, Cooper-Priest met with dozens of Haitian birth attendants and mothers in both communities to learn more about their concerns and cultural sensitivities.  Additionally, DukeEngage students helped to map the health care facilities in the Leogane area that deliver babies and offer infant health care.

As part of the training, the midwives will learn to assess newborn health status, measure gestational age, and resuscitate newborns. As relationships are developed and skills on both sides are further developed, Cooper-Priest will enlist the midwives in data collection to support the initiative’s research component.

FHM plans to provide about 20 birth attendants with standard tools, such as adult and baby scales, blood pressure cuffs and tape measures. The nonprofit will also provide community education and prenatal vitamins through women’s groups in both Haitian communities.

Story provided by Family Health Ministries.