Wejnert (global gender studies, State U. of New York at Buffalo, US), Steinmetz (sociology, Indian U.-Purdue U.-Indianapolis, US), and Prakash (Women Studies & Societal Development Unit, Birla Institute, India) present 19 papers exploring the topic of maternal health in relation to globalization. Conceptual papers discuss strategic messaging of safe motherhood, the effects of globalization on women's reproductive health, the impact of culture on lactation policies, health status and pregnancy outcomes in patients attending prenatal care, and the impact of psychological disorders on postpartum mothers and children. Case studies are then presented of maternal health policies and experiences in Poland, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Nepal, and the United States. Policies to promote safe motherhood are then discussed in terms of information and communication technologies in South Asia, health care services in the Himalayas, a Sri Lankan tea plantation, and a maternal health training program in rural India. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
This book provides cutting edge information on safe motherhood in a global context. The chapters focus on research, program development and implementation, and policy dealing with various aspects of pregnancy, labor and delivery. Safe motherhood is a critical issue since healthy, safe motherhood is the prerequisite for a healthy, productive society. Writing about the situation in their countries, the authors are from Eastern Europe, America, Asia and Africa and are academic scholars and health practitioners. The book is multidisciplinary with scholars from sociology, gender studies, economics, social policy, social geography, population management and political science. Topics include lactation policy and misunderstandings of lactations in African countries and in the United States; postnatal stress disorder that is either understudied or not considered as a problem in many developing countries; potential causes of a decline of maternal health in democratizing states; the effect of geographical environment on reproductive health; and revelation of mysteries of consequences of pre-birth pain in the early life of children. Case studies provide examples of successful model programs. Solutions offered are based on utilizing available resources and technology in ways that maximize education and training of local health professionals and family members.
This book was published as a special issue of Marriage and Family Review.
This volume offers a unique portrayal of a multilevel impact of globalization on a broad spectrum of factors detrimental to safe motherhood and on the interaction of local environment with the globalized world.
