Social/Community Child Health

Causes and Percentages of Child Mortality

Causes	%
Neonatal Causes	40
Pneumonia	14
Diarrhoea	10
Malaria	7
Injuries	5
HIV/AIDS	2
Measles	1

Don’t Forget the Ms

• Malaria: A mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites.
• Mycobacterium: A genus of bacteria that includes Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causing tuberculosis.
• Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
• Malnutrition: Lack of proper nutrition, leading to weakened immunity.
• Measles: A highly contagious viral infection.

The Sad & Sweet Story

• >75% of Mortality were due to Preventable causes: A staggering majority of child deaths could have been avoided.
• >80% of them were due to INFECTIONS: A significant portion of child mortality is attributed to infectious diseases.

The Process

• The Host and the Bug must interact: Infections require interaction between the host's body and the causative microorganisms.
• If you can STOP the interactions, you can STOP the infection: Halting this interaction can prevent infection.
• Empower the Host: Strengthening the body's defenses to resist infections.
• Adequate maturity before delivery of the baby
• Good hand washing protocols
• Other infection controls
• Empower the Host: Enhancing the body's capacity to fight infections.
• Adequate Nutrition starting with Exclusive Breastfeeding
• Immunization (Versus Vaccination)
• Antibiotic prophylaxis
• Antibiotic treatment
• Kill the Bug: Directly targeting and eliminating the causative microorganisms.
• Reduce the virulence of the Bugs: Lowering the harmfulness of microorganisms using antibiotics or genetic engineering.

The social impact of child illnesses can be seen at different levels, from the individual child to the wider community and society.

Environment

The environment in which a child is born and grows up can have a significant impact on their health. For example, children born in poverty are more likely to experience health problems, such as malnutrition and infectious diseases.

• Intra-uterine environment: The environment in the womb can also affect a child's health. For example, exposure to pollutants or infections during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects or other health problems.
• Immediate post-partum: The period immediately after birth is also a critical time for a child's health. Babies who are not properly cared for in the first few weeks of life are more likely to develop health problems.
• Under-5: Children under the age of 5 are especially vulnerable to health problems. This is because their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases.
• School Children: School children are also at risk of health problems, such as asthma, allergies, and mental health problems.
• Adolescents: Adolescents are at risk of a variety of health problems, including sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems, and injuries.
• Young Adults: Young adults are at risk of health problems, such as substance abuse, mental health problems, and chronic diseases.

Levels

The social impact of child illnesses can also be seen at different levels:

• The child: Child illness can have a significant impact on the child's physical, emotional, and social development.
• Family: The family is often the primary caregiver for a sick child. This can place a financial and emotional burden on the family.
• Community: Child illness can have a negative impact on the community, as children who are sick may not be able to attend school or participate in other activities.
• Government: Governments play an important role in addressing the social impact of child illnesses. They can provide financial assistance to families, support programs to improve child health, and develop policies to prevent illness.

Politics

The social impact of child illnesses is also influenced by politics. The positions that people hold in government, the decisions that they make, and the resources that they allocate can all have a significant impact on the health of children.

• Positions (who occupies which position): The people who hold positions in government can make a big difference in the way that child illnesses are addressed. For example, a government that is committed to improving child health is more likely to allocate resources to programs that support child health.
• Decision (on everything): The decisions that governments make about child health can also have a significant impact. For example, a government that decides to cut funding for child health programs is likely to have a negative impact on the health of children.
• Resource mobilization: Governments can also play a role in mobilizing resources to address child illnesses. For example, they can raise taxes or issue bonds to raise money for child health programs.
• Resource allocation: Governments also need to allocate resources effectively to address child illnesses. This means making sure that the resources are used in the most effective way possible to improve child health.
• Resource utilization: Finally, governments need to make sure that

Definition

Children in especially difficult circumstances are those whose fundamental needs are not being adequately met.

Basic Needs

• Food
• Shelter
• Emotion
• Education
• Medical Care
• Protection/Security

The Bad News

If their situation remains unchanged, the conditions for these children are likely to worsen over time.

Types

• Sexually Abused Children: Those who have experienced various forms of sexual abuse.
• Physical sexual abuse
• Verbal sexual abuse
• Emotional sexual abuse
• Exhibitionism
• Sexually Exploited Children: Those subjected to commercial sexual exploitation, child prostitution, trafficking, and pornography.
• Street Children: Those who live and work on the streets, often without proper care or supervision.
• Children in War or Armed Conflict: Those who are exposed to violence and armed conflict.
• Children in Famine: Those who suffer from extreme food scarcity and malnutrition.
• Children in Dysfunctional Homes or Family: Those who come from troubled households that may lack stability and care.

SOLUTION

The solution lies in ensuring adequate protection of the rights of the world's children. Explore the Child Rights Convention (CRC) for more insights.