Emphasis behaviors in maternal and child health : focusing on caretaker behaviors to develop maternal and child health programs in communities

Criteria for identifying the emphasis behaviors included their impact on multiple disease areas, demonstrated relationship with mortality and morbidity, impact on the most important public health problems in developing countries, measurability, and their feasibility for change and cost-effectiveness. The emphasis behaviors fall under five categories: (1) reproductive health practices; (2) infant and child feeding practices; (3) immunization practices; (4) home health practices; and (5) care-seeking practices. It is suggested that health managers choose which emphasis behaviors to focus on in their programs by reviewing existing community-based data. Following this selection process, they can develop and implement strategies appropriate for the local context, as well as monitor and evaluate results. Appendices include worksheets that programmers can use to prioritize behaviors, resource guides on information gathering, and references. (Author abstract, modified)