The maternal mortality ratio is unacceptably high in Africa. Forty per cent of all pregnancy-related deaths worldwide occur in Africa. On average, over 7 women die per 1,000 live births. About 22,000 African women die each year from unsafe abortion, reflecting a high unmet need for contraception. Contraceptive use among women in union varies from 50 per cent in the southern sub-region to less than 10 per cent in middle and western Africa" UNFPA
Early and unwanted childbearing, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy-related illnesses and deaths account for a significant proportion of the burden of illness experienced by women in Africa. Gender-based violence is an influential factor negatively impacting on the sexual and reproductive health of one in every three women. Many are unable to control decisions to have sex or to negotiate safer sexual practices, placing them at great risk of disease and health complications.
According to UNAIDS, there is an estimated of 22.2 million people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan African in 2009, which represents 68% of the global HIV burden. Women are at higher risk than men to be infected by HIV, their vulnerability remains particulary high in the Sub-Saharan Africa and 76% of all HIV women in the world live in this region.
In almost all countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, the majority of people living with HIV are women, especially girls and women aged between 15-24. Not only are women more likely to become infected, they are more severely affected. Their income is likely to fall if an adult man loses his job and dies. Since formal support to women are very limited, they may have to give up some income-genrating activities or sacrifice school to take care of the sick relatives.
For more information on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive health, please visit the following websites:
Source: East African Business Week
The government last week organised the Mother-Child Health campaign, Second Edition, 2014.
Source: Global Post
Yvette Raphael left the medical clinic in Midrand, Johannesburg with one thought running through her mind.
Source: Mail&Guardian
Mozambique has passed a law permitting women to terminate unwanted pregnancies under specified conditions without risking punishment, a move hailed by activists in a country where clandestine abortions account for a large number of maternal deaths.
Source: BBC News
Many mothers and newborns are dying because of a lack of sanitation, safe water and hygiene while giving birth, leading health experts have warned.
Source: The Guardian (Nigeria)
AS I tried to catch up on the latest news on Africa, I stumbled upon the recent joint announcement of Pfizer Inc. the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to expand access to Pfizer's injectable contraceptive, Sayana® Press (medroxyprogesterone acetate), for women in the world's poorest countries. Some of the targeted countries named for this expansive contraception project include Burkina Faso, Kenya, Niger, Senegal, Uganda and my own country, Nigeria.
Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
According to Ethiopia's 2011 Demographic and Health Survey, nearly half a million children under-five die every year.
Source: HIT Consultant
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and global telecommunications operator Orange announced a new alliance to accelerate mobile health in Africa at the mHealth Summit 2014 in Washington, DC.
Source: International Rescue Committee
The Ebola crisis in West Africa has taken a harsh toll on women and girls in some unexpected ways.
Source: Deseret News
The ongoing Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa has fueled pessimism and led many commentators to declare that these nations are beyond help and hope.
Source: New Vision
At least 800 abortions are carried out every day in Uganda.
Source: Leadership Newspapers
While some West-African countries are still battling the scourge of the Ebola virus and Nigeria is still basking in the euphoria of winning the war against the virus, HIV/AIDS still remains a major health pandemic insidiously affecting children, youths and women in our country; dangerously reaching epidemic proportions.