The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45400

Amanda Perez, MPH, Planned Parenthood of New York City, 349 East 149th Street, 3rd floor, Bronx, NY 10451, 212-965-4878, amandaperez@rcn.com

Cuba is known throughout the world as an advanced public health state. Its international reputation is immediately confirmed by an analysis of the health indicators of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and beyond. This report reveals that Cuba's exceptional maternal and infant health indicators are associated with one of the country's most unique and under-documented public health programs, hogares maternos, or maternity homes.

Using qualitative methodology, this report examines the evolution of maternity homes in Cuba from 1962 to present and the structure and function of maternity homes, as well as their health effects. The qualitative data was predominantly collected in the cities of La Habana and Pinar del Rio via site visits and key informant interviews.

Maternity homes demonstrate that attention to social risk factors during pregnancy can have an impressive effect on maternal and infant health indicators. Cuban maternity homes illustrate an innovative way to make pregnancy and childbirth safer. The success factors of the Cuban maternity home are very unique to Cuba and often not present in other developing world countries. These contributing factors include: (1) a strong primary care-based health system, (2) an abundant number of health personnel, (3) inter-sector collaboration, (4) political will, and (5) socio-political context. Consequently, this report considers safe motherhood from a multi-dimensional perspective. The experience of the Cuban maternity home demonstrates that safe motherhood can be facilitated by a strong consideration of social, political, and economic development.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the evolution of maternity homes in Cuba from 1962 to present.
• Discuss the structure and function of maternity homes, as well as its health effects.
• Describe the management and financing of maternity homes.
• List a set of best practices for other country’s public health programs based on the success of Cuban maternity homes.

Keywords: Maternal Health, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.