7.2.2 What are the healthcare issues in sub-Saharan Africa? Flashcards
in 2015, what was the IMR rate in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
86 deaths per 1000 live births
what are the reasons for SSAs IMR
- Neonatal infections : a high rate of infection from process of delivering baby causes a high rate of infection in newborn babies
- around 10% of deaths in early childhood in the region are due to diarrhoea
- lack of skilled birth attendants leads to many kids dying within 24 hrs of being born
- lack of vaccinations and mosquito nets to stop preventable diseases
what are the two most common killers in SSA
- MALARIA
- HIV
how is malaria caused ?
by parasites that are spread to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
malaria is preventable yet in 2015 there was an estimated 214 million cases - what’re the impacts? [malawi]
- it varies seasonally but reaches its peak in rainy season (jan to apr)
- highest infection rates are found around Lake Malawi due to the warm, stagnant water
- infection rates higher in rural regions
- kids, preggo women and those with HIV are at higher risk
- mosquitos becoming resistant to insecticides
- for most in malawi, a doctor is a long walk away
malawi gov combat strategies to malaria
- the Malaria strategic plan sets targets and monitors intervention
- increase use of insecticide-treated bef nets (cost £3)
- improve access to fast and effective treatment so early symptoms can be managed
- indoor residual spraying: involves spraying insecticides in places where mosquitoes are more likely to come into contact with people
HIV/AIDS - Malawi ; facties !
- average life expectancy is 50 yrs in Mal due to AIDS
- rate of HIV infection is higher in urban areas
- many families in poverty due to adults being too ill to work
- country’s development is limited due to a reduction in taxes paid from fewer people working
- children of adults with HIV often drop out of school to care for their parents
gov strategies to combat HIV/AIDS
- HIV testing and counselling (HTC) services have increased over past few years
- large investments in preventing mother-to-child transmissions where preg women are given access to medication, which helps prevent the infection being given to the baby
- increase in availability of free condoms
- increase in number of people treated with anti-retroviral treatment (ART), which helps prevent HIV leading to AIDS and therefore prevents early death
HIV meaning and what it is
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
- attacks the body’s immune system and weakens its ability to fight infections
- if left untreated, may progress to AIDS
AIDS meaning and what it is
ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME
- final stage of HIV, may lead to death if left untreated
international response to malaria and HIV
- ‘Roll Back Malaria’ initiative had over 500 partners working together to provide a response to the disease
• also one of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals - INITIAL global response focuses on prevention through encouraging behaviour change and also research into a vaccine (DODNT WORK 🤭)
- UN AIDS Fast Track Strategy is aiming to end it by 2030 through:
• improvements in availability of contraception
• education
• availability of medication which prevents HIV leading to AIDS
what’s a top down approach ?
large-scale project that is decided on by national governments
what’s a bottom-up approach ?
project that is planned and led by local communities to help their local area
top down approaches to development
- decisions made at governmental level, usually involves high cost
- communities likely to be affected by the decisions have little say as to what is done
- advantages of these schemes are that they are part of strategic plan which aims to develop infrastructure of the country
- BUT, they frequently lead the country into debt and the jobs created are often not for local community
bottom up approaches to development
- decisions made by local community thatll be affected
- try to help communities by helping them to help themselves
- advantages = they are small scale and so less costly
- they’re more sustainable and usually meet the needs of the local community better
