Health promotion and disease prevention

Counselling about important issues affecting a woman's health and the health of the newborn is a critical component of focused ANC. That is, counselling the woman and providing the services required is the main concern. The services include:

• Immunisation against tetanus.
• Iron and foliate supplementation.
• Recognition of danger signs, what to do, and where to get help.
• Voluntary counselling and testing for HIV.
• The benefit of skilled attendance at birth.
• Breastfeeding (excluding and complementary).
• Establishing access to family planning.
• Protection against malaria with insecticide-treated bed nets.
• Good nutrition and the importance of rest.
• Protection against iodine deficiency.
• Risks of using tobacco, alcohol, local stimulants and bad traditional practices.
• Hygiene and infection prevention activities.