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: The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Liberia has again made a giant stride in addressing the issue of newborn infection and prematurity which contribute significantly to newborn deaths in the country with the approval of 7.1% Clorhexidine Digluconate (4% free chiorhexidine) for cord care and the National Guideline on Kangaroo Mother Care for the care of preterm babies.
Source: The Namibian
THE education directorate in the Kunene Region has completed an investigation into a case where a 15-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly impregnated by a teacher.
"The investigation is completed and the teacher will appear at a hearing to give him an opportunity to give his side of the story," Simon Tsuseb,
Source: The New Vision
When Sarah Nangobi discovered she was pregnant, she was excited and terrified - excited because this was her first child; and terrified because she did not know what to expect.
"I didn't know how I was going to carry the pregnancy to term and what would happen at the time of delivery," says the mother of four,
Source: Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)
Sumbawanga and Rose Athumani — A WOMAN, Maria Makoti, resident of Chemka of Chanji area in Sumbawanga municipality, prematurely delivered a baby boy in a toilet after she suddenly felt pangs of birth caused by shock following eviction from her house by a court broker.
Source: Leadership (Abuja)
The Akwa Ibom State Agency for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention (AK-SAAP) has declared its resolve to wage a total war against the disease and move the state from its present high prevalent rate group in the country.
Source: Leadership (Abuja)
Many new mothers worry that their babies are not getting enough milk from breastfeeding. But new research suggests the problem, which can lead to dehydration and serious illness, is actually very rare.
Now, the researchers behind the study are calling for better support for breastfeeding mothers to prevent them turning to bottle-feeding.
Source: Premium Times
An Abuja Chief Magistrates' Court on Thursday adjourned to May 16, a case of alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl preferred against Pastor Basil Princewill of the Mountain Mover Fire Ministry, Nyanya, Abuja.
Chief Magistrate Ahmed Shaibu adjourned the case after listening to the cross-examination of the mother of the victim, Ngozi Iwuoha, by the defence counsel.
Source: Think Africa Press
There is no 'one size fits all' strategy for the development challenges that face the world - and its 7 billion inhabitants - today.
Let's take health for instance, and specifically HIV - a virus that we know affects many millions of people around the world.
In 2012, UNAIDS estimated that there were 34 million people living with HIV, married to, related to, working with,
Source: Think Africa Press
There is no 'one size fits all' strategy for the development challenges that face the world - and its 7 billion inhabitants - today.
Let's take health for instance, and specifically HIV - a virus that we know affects many millions of people around the world.
In 2012, UNAIDS estimated that there were 34 million people living with HIV,
Source: The Herald
Give a child an education and a foundation has been laid. There are hundreds of orphans who are yet to receive education. In Hatcliffe Extension, 11 secondary school-going orphans under the care of Vision HIV/Aids are missing school because their fees have not yet been paid.
Source: The New Vision
After years of trailblazing the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Uganda is losing gains it initially made in cutting the prevalence of the disease to complacency, global health experts have disclosed.