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.
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Source: The New Vision
Fifty six percent of the pregnancies in Uganda are unintended, leading to high levels of unplanned births, unsafe abortion and maternal injury and death, a new study has revealed.
Source: The New Times
The head teacher of Groupe Scolaire (GS) Nsinda in Rwamagana district has been suspended following reports that 26 of his students were found to be pregnant.
The teens were either found to be pregnant or recently gave birth while at school.
Source: The Star
Poor Antenatal care and parasites have been linked to high prevalence of Epilepsy in Kenya and sub Saharan Africa. A study conducted in the country and its neighbouring states of Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa revealed that epilepsy significantly more prevalent in poorer countries and rural areas.
Source: The Namibian
THE number of children under the age of five who died of hunger has dropped significantly in the Hardap Region.
The Mariental State Hospital's chief medical officer, Dr Jean-Paul Tshitende, says the number of children who have died of malnutrition in the region dropped from 14 in 2011 to five in 2012.
Source: The Observer (Kampala)
At her small house in Kyengera, Sarah Nagujja, a mother of five, has been limited to doing one job - monitoring her pale five-month-old son, Charles Kaddu. Occasionally, she looks on helplessly as the little tot struggles for his breath, then he sweats and later part of his body either freezes or turns purple. And this happens on a daily basis.
Source: Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)
Addis Abeba is to host the International Conference on Family Planning which will be held for four days starting on November 12, 2013, and organised by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health.
Source: Leadership
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Pate, has enjoined expectant mothers go to hospitals or medical centres to deliver their babies to avail themselves of the usage of health facilities.
About 4,000 Ghanaian pregnant girls and women risk death this year, whilst over 100,000 others are likely to develop short and long term disabilities from pregnancy related complications, recent studies have indicated.
"Tarehe Sita" celebrations which are held in remembrance of the first armed attack launched by the National Resistance Army guerrillas on February 6, 1981 usually involve various activities.
A new maternity ward has been commissioned at Matyazo Health Centre in Huye district, bringing joy to hundreds of expectant mothers who use the facility.
ADDIS ABABA, 31 January 2013 (IRIN) - Ethiopia has made progress in lowering maternal mortality rates, but a weak health system means many women are still succumbing to preventable complications before, during and after childbirth.