NMHS10400 Promoting Women's Health

Academic Year 2023/2024

The aim of this module is to engage midwifery students as health educators to promote maternal and child health during pregnancy and the post-natal period. Concepts of health will be discussed along with the philosophy and principles of health promotion and health education. The health challenges facing pregnant women and the complexity of biopsychosocial factors which contribute to this, will be discussed from a national and global perspective. The role of midwives in health promotion and their use of evidence-based behaviour change techniques when caring for women during their pregnancy and in the post-natal period will be also be discussed.

*The term woman as used in this module descriptor should be taken to include people who do not identify as women but are pregnant or have given birth.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Define the concepts of health, health education, health promotion and public health.
• Discuss the biopsychosocial factors influencing maternal health in women in Ireland and worldwide.
• Understand how behaviour change theories can support midwives to promote maternal and child health.
• Identify strategies for promoting and optimising maternal, child and community health.
• Critically evaluate the role of the midwife in the promotion of maternal and child health.

Indicative Module Content:

Indicative Content
• Concepts of health promotion, health education and public health.
• An introduction to a global perspective on maternal and child health
• An introduction to contemporary behaviour change theory to support health promotion
• The role of the midwife in health promotion
• Approaches and methods used to promote maternal and infant health to include- Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

Health Areas of focus;
a) Maternal and infant nutrition
b) Physical health and exercise
c) Maternal mental health
d) Maternal obesity
e) Smoking cessation
f) Alcohol and drug awareness

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

26
Autonomous Student Learning

75
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, group work, reflective learning, student presentation, small group discussions. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Reflection Varies over the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

20
Group Project: Health Promotion Education-recorded power point presentation- (10 slides Max) Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

80

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group/class feedback during the module and individual assessment post assessment

Reading List:

Bowden, J., Manning, V. (2016) Health Promotion in Midwifery: Principles and Practice, 3rd Ed. London: Taylor and Francis

Department of Health (2016) Make Every Contact Count - A Health Behaviour Change, Framework and Implementation Plan for Health Professionals in the Irish Health Service. Dublin: Stationery Office.

Department of Health (2016) National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together 2016 - 2026. Dublin: Stationery Office.

Department of Health (2021) Health in Ireland Key Trends 2021. Dublin: Stationery Office.

Department of Health (2015) National Sexual Health Strategy for Ireland 2015 – 2020. Dublin: Stationery Office.

Department of Health (2021) Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025. Dublin: Stationery Office.

Health Service Executive (2016) Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland, Health Service Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016 - 2021. Dublin: HSE.

Health Service Executive (2011) The Health Promotion Strategic Framework. Dublin: HSE National Health Promotion Office.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Publications:

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2022) Practice standards for Midwives. Dublin

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2015) Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework. Dublin,


Further suggested reading resources will be provided throughout the module
Name Role
Dr Paula Cornally Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Kate Frazer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Elizabeth Greene Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Aoife Claire MacCormac Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 27 Mon 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 27 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Online Learning Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26 Tues 14:00 - 15:50
Spring