In Ethiopia, many children are missing out on crucial vaccines. This is a big deal because it leaves them open to diseases that could be easily prevented. These diseases are a major cause of death among kids in the region. One of the main issues is what's known as vaccination dropout. This happens when a child gets their first shot but doesn't complete the full serie...
When countries or international groups impose aid sanctions, they're essentially withholding money as a form of punishment. This tactic is often used in response to political unrest, armed conflicts, or human rights violations. However, these sanctions can have unintended consequences, particularly on the health of mothers and children. Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Myan...
In the rural areas of Tanzania, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) found themselves in a tough spot. They used to be key players in the fight against maternal and child deaths. But things changed when global health rules shifted their role. Now, they were seen as obstacles to achieving certain health goals. This shift was especially tough during the presidency of Jo...
Do you know what happens to kids born with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS)? It's a tough situation – they often face serious developmental and brain problems. But here's something we didn't know till now: how long do these kids live, and what causes their early deaths? Let's dive into this unknown territory. First, let's talk about the risk of death in the first five...
Imagine a solution that's free, doesn't need any fancy equipment, and could save the lives of over 800, 000 children each year. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it's not. It's actually something we already have: breastfeeding. Experts say that if moms around the world breastfed their babies optimally, it could cut child mortality by at least 10 percent. So, what doe...
Imagine you're in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a team of researchers decided to take a closer look at moms and their kids. They weren't just curious; they wanted to understand how a mom's age and her weight might affect her child's health and life. So, they gathered data from the 2013-2014 Demographic and Health Survey. They found that older moms, espe...
Bacterial meningitis can be really harmful, especially for kids in locations like Yemen, where conflicts make it tough to manage and treat this disease properly. This study takes a look at why some kids with bacterial meningitis in hospitals don't make it, focusing on places without many resources. First, it's important to know what causes bacterial meningitis. It c...
Ever wondered how scientists study child deaths? One method is Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS), which helps understand the causes of child mortality. This process is used in countries with high child death rates, like Ethiopia. But guess what? In many places, people worry if this method goes against religious beliefs. A recent study looked into how a Muslim...