Working with families with the newborn infant to prevent social orphanhood: Russian experience

Abstract

Aim of the work. To determine the current state of the problem of abandonment of newborn infants in Russia and justify the need for further development of services for the prevention of early abandonment of children on the basis of healthcare institutions.
Materials and methods. There was carried out h analysis of data obtained in a number of interdisciplinary scientific studies, as well as in the course of social projects implemented in practice to prevent the abandonment of newborn infants.
Results. The data from Russian sociological, psychological, and psychopathological studies of the problem of abandonment of newborn infants was compared. It is shown that when providing assistance to a family that abandons a child, specialists act in the interests of children and protect their right to grow up in a family. The results of the activities of interdisciplinary teams of specialists within the framework of social projects to prevent early child abandonment, carried out in a number of Russian regions, are considered. Their practical developments, conclusions, and problems posed during the work are covered. The possibility of using the “Case Work” technology in managing medical, psychological, and social assistance to families in the situation of abandonment of a newborn is shown.
Conclusion. As a result of the work of Russian services for the prevention of early child abandonment, from 30 to 50 percent of women who announced the abandonment of a born child changed their decision and were able to adapt to life with their children. Based on the results of implemented social projects, recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation “Prevention of abandonment of newborns in maternity hospitals (for public authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation)”, as well as a number of methodological materials, were developed. These materials can be of great help to existing and newly created services for the prevention of early child abandonment.