Report on Medical Health Workshops: Promoting Women and Newborn Health

This report outlines a series of medical health workshops focused on raising awareness about critical health issues. The first workshop addresses menstrual hygiene, emphasizing the importance of proper cleanliness and the risks associated with inadequate practices, aiming to develop awareness strategies for women across Saudi Arabia through lectures, case studies, and research. The second workshop focuses on newborn screening (NBS), highlighting its role in detecting potentially harmful disorders at birth and preventing long-term health issues through early intervention, featuring seminars, webinars, and competency assessments. The third workshop tackles maternal mental health, specifically post-partum depression, exploring its impact on both mother and infant, aiming to provide in-depth understanding and practical counseling through lectures, case study analysis, and competence evaluation.

Running head: MEDICAL WORKSHOP
MEDICAL WORKSHOP
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1MEDICAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
AWARENESS ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE
Menstrual hygiene can be defined as the wellness of the body and mind during the menstrual cycle. It essentially
includes the proper cleanliness of the female genital organs during the menstrual cycle so as to prevent the
probability of acquiring an infection. Studies reveal that on an average, almost 88% of the women population base
do not have access to sanitary napkins and end up using cheaper alternatives such as linen and unclean cloth.
Improper menstrual hygiene leads to the development of urinary tract infections and fungal infections which could
lead to fatal outcomes such as unbearable pain and even enhance the probability of acquiring cancer. Improper
menstrual hygiene also increases the risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). The most important
steps that ensure a safer and a comfortable cycle include the following:
 Changing sanitary napkins at least twice or thrice a day depending upon the blood flow
 Observing physical hygiene
 Eating healthy
 Mild fitness activities to deal with the cramps
Despite broadcasting almost twenty different kinds of sanitary brands on the television, menstrual hygiene is a far-
fetched dream to the women population in the remote areas. This workshop intends to focus on developing
appropriate awareness strategies to make menstrual hygiene a must for every woman across Saudi Arabia.
Workshop highlights:
February: Lecture sessions and discussion by eminent gynecologists, case-study analysis and engaging in
research oriented assessments to understand the problem
March: Presenting a research proposal to substantiate awareness
April: Collection of data/responses
May: Discussion on project outcome and granting certification

2MEDICAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
AWARENESS ON NEW-BORN SCREENING
New born screening can be defined as the practice of screening infants for the detection of potentially harmful or
fatal disorders that are not characteristically apparent at birth. New-born screening makes use of the baby’s blood
sample in order to detect heath conditions that could interfere with the healthy living of the baby in future. New-
born screening essentially helps in the prevention of death and disability to susceptible infants as it helps in
dispensing early intervention. NBS also helps in reducing related medical health expenditure pertaining to needing
critical care with the progression of an unidentified disorder. Studies reveal that 44% of genetic disorders and
metabolic syndromes could be prevented with the mandatory new-born screening. In general most infants with
metabolic disorders appear normal at birth. It is difficult to tell that the infant is going to develop a disorder until the
symptoms are evident and once the symptoms are evident the seriousness of the problem becomes critical and at the
same time irreversible. New born screening is therefore a hassle-free procedure that helps to find out whether or not
the baby has a congenital medical disorder that could eventually lead to mental retardation or death, if not detected
and left untreated. Some of the most common disorders that are included under the NBS screening programs include
the following:
 Sickle cell disease
 Phenylketonuria
 Down Syndrome
 Galactosemia
 Maple syrup Urine disease
The NBS workshop highlights:
February: Seminar presented by eminent gynecologists and fetal medicine
experts, webinars on NBS, Lectures by scholars
March: Competency assessment and granting training certification

3MEDICAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
AWARENESS ON MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
1 in every 7 women deal
with a condition known
as post-partum
depression.
Studies mention that
approximately 20% of
mothers who give birth to
babies experience post-
partum depression.
Post-partum depression can be defined as a serious mental health condition that is
characterized by a long period of emotional unrest. It generally occurs during the
time of a major life-event such as the birth of a baby that increases responsibilities
and individual role. Post-partum depression can elicit serious impact on the mental
health of both the mother and the infant. Studies attribute 20% deaths to be caused
on account of post-partum depression. Approximately, 50% of the cases are not
successfully detected and are overlooked. Symptoms might manifest at any instant
during the pregnancy period. Symptoms of post-partum depression include:
 Emotional breakdown
 Depression
 Experiencing trouble while sleeping
 Anxiety
 Change in appetite
 Mood-swings
The workshop would be conducted from
February to April 2019 and would cover
the following:
February: 10 Lectures on Post-partum
depression by eminent psychotherapists
and developing an in-depth understanding
about the topic
March: Case-study analysis through
practical counseling sessions
April: Competence evaluation through
theoretical and practical assessment and
awarding certification