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: GVAI Alliance
Geneva — School girls in four districts to be immunised against leading cause of cervical cancer
Source: The Star
The World Vision says Siaya county has surpassed the national figure of the infant mortality rate. World Vision says the county's infant mortality rate stands at 135 per 1,000 live births against the National figure of 52 per 1,000 live births.
Source: The Star
The government's free maternity services in all public hospitals has helped reduce HIV transmission from mother-to-child in Mombasa. County Aids-STI coordinator Dr Anisa Baghazal yesterday said most mothers are delivering in health facilities.
Source: Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)
Dear readers,Today I have on my mind the welfare of pregnant women. I find it logical to mention here that a chance for a pregnant woman is a chance for her foetus -- her future child.
Source: New Vision
Every year, about 1,500 girls in Uganda die from complications resulting from unsafe abortion contributing to the slow progress to reduce the number of women who die due to pregnancy-related complications.
Source: Times of Zambia
Most teenage girls do not plan to get pregnant, but many do find themselves in this situation because of, among other things, peer pressure and influence from foreign cultures.
Source: Times of Zambia
Government, through its Reproductive Health Policy, has advised that reproduction health needs should be addressed in an integrated manner rather than in parallel compartments because reproductive ill-health results from complications.
The grim realities cannot be ignored as Africa celebrates its achievements in the area of human rights and empowerment of women, argues Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former president of Mozambique.
Source: Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)
Government statistics say it all. According to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, during the period of five-years, between 2004 and 2008, a total of 28,590 schoolgirls in the country dropped out of school as a result of unwanted pregnancy, 11,599 being secondary school students and 16,991 primary schools.
Source: Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)
Sumbawanga — DESPITE reports that the number of expectant mothers attending clinics has increased, few are said to give birth in health facilities and instead prefer using traditional midwives.
Last week I joined other leaders at the United Nations to review progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and discuss the future of global health and development. As I prepared for that meeting, I was haunted by the memory of a letter I received years ago.