Maternal and Child Health Project

In 2007, a new partnership project with Katherine West Health Board was established to improve the health of women, mothers and babies through providing greater access to services in the Katherine West region.

The aim of the project is to:

• Increase access to antenatal care in the first trimester
• Increase availability of culturally appropriate maternal and women's health information
• Reduce in smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy
• Increase women's access to preventive health assessments
• Increase promotion of women' and maternal health

Women in remote communities in the Katherine West region do not have regular health checks, often having their first antenatal check after 20 weeks gestation. Women are commonly affected by Anemia, sexually transmitted and urinary tract infections. There is a higher rate of pregnancy among younger women with many babies born with low birth weights. Smoking and alcohol use alcohol occurs during pregnancy and women often experience higher levels of domestic violence.

As part of the project, a Maternal and Women's Health Coordinator will be employed to provide support to remote communities in the region. The coordinator will provide advice about maternal and women's health mentoring local workers. Assistance will also be provided to help women implement local initiatives such as camps to teach young women about traditional birthing practices.