Health Problems of Children in Pakistan Hassan Javed 2023M20009 Agenda • Health Problems • Pneumonia • Immunization coverage • Neonatal health • Malnutrition(Factors and concrete preventive measures) There are several main health problems affecting children in Pakistan, but some of the most significant include: Malnutrition Pneumonia Diarrhea Immunization Coverage Neonatal health UNICEF Pneumonia• This is the leading cause of death among children in Pakistan, with around 91,000 children dying from it each year. • Air pollution, indoor smoke from cooking fuels, and poor ventilation contribute to the high incidence of acute respiratory infections among children in Pakistan. • Pakistan was the first country in South Asia to launch a vaccine against one of the leading causes of pneumonia among children under five. Pneumonia In January alone, more than 18,000 pneumonia cases and nearly 300 fatalities were registered in eastern Punjab province. Around half of childhood pneumonia deaths are associated with air pollution, according to UNICEF. Diarrhea • This is another leading cause of death among children in Pakistan, with around 53,000 children dying from it each year • Diarrhea is caused by a variety of factors, including contaminated food and water, rotavirus, and other infections. • Lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities contributes to the prevalence of diarrheal diseases among children in Pakistan. Diarrhea Diarrhea is the world's second-biggest cause of infant and under-five mortality, and it demonstrates the potential health and economic impact of the disease on the targeted population. Improving health facilities, health education, and access to better household & environmental infrastructure are the most effective way for reducing infant and under-five mortality in Pakistan due to diarrhea. Immunization coverage Inadequate immunization coverage leaves children vulnerable to vaccinepreventable diseases. Despite efforts to improve immunization coverage, many children in Pakistan still do not receive routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, and hepatitis. Immunization coverage Pakistan has not yet met the WHO's target of a 95 % vaccination rate. The coverage remains suboptimal in Pakistan with only 66 % of children aged 12–23 months reported to have received all the basic EPI vaccines according to a recent national demographic health survey Neonatal health Complications during pregnancy and childbirth contribute to maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Pakistan. Limited access to skilled healthcare providers, as well as cultural and socioeconomic factors, impact maternal and neonatal health outcomes Pakistan has a high rate of neonatal deaths. There are an estimated 300 000 infant deaths annually in the country. According to the most up-todate data available, the neonatal mortality rate is 42 per 1000 live births, which accounts for almost 7% of all newborn deaths globally. Malnutrition • Malnutrition remains a significant issue affecting children in Pakistan. • According to the National Nutrition Survey 2018, around 40% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth, while 17% are underweight and 29% are wasted • Malnutrition not only affects physical growth but also cognitive development, leading to long-term consequences. Malnutrition Malnutrition is caused by poverty, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare facilities. As a result, children in Pakistan suffer from a wide range of health problems, including stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and developmental delays. key influencing factors Poverty Inadequate access to nutritious foods lack of awareness about proper nutrition Concrete preventive measures • Promotion of breastfeeding: Encouraging and supporting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life can significantly improve infant nutrition and reduce the risk of malnutrition-related illness • Nutrition education: Implementing educational programs at community levels to raise awareness about the importance of balanced diets, micronutrient-rich foods, and proper feeding practices for infants and young children. Concrete preventive measures Food supplementation: Providing fortified foods or nutritional supplements to children at risk of malnutrition, especially in marginalized communities or areas prone to food insecurity. Improving agricultural practices: Supporting smallscale farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture methods to enhance food production, diversity, and availability of nutritious crops. Concrete preventive measures Access to clean water and sanitation: Investing in clean water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent waterborne diseases and improve overall hygiene, reducing the risk of malnutritionrelated infections. Healthcare access: Strengthening healthcare systems to provide routine screening, early detection, and treatment of malnutrition, as well as addressing underlying health issues contributing to poor nutrition outcomes. Thank you References 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. National Nutrition Survey 2018, Pakistan. UNICEF Pakistan. (n.d.). Diarrhoeal Diseases. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Pakistan: WHO Statistical Profile. GAVI. (2020). Pakistan: Gavi's support. National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) [Pakistan], & ICF. (2019). Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18. Khan, W., Zahoor, S., Hussain, K., Nazir, A., Raza, H., & Suleman, A. (2019). Prevalence of Malaria and Dengue Fever in Children Below 5 Years of Age, District Rawalpindi. Annals of King Edward Medical University, 25(1), 89–93. Hyder, A. A., Puvanachandra, P., Zafar, W., Gururaj, G., Kobusingye, O. C., & Fazel, M. R. (2008). The impact of traumatic brain injuries: a global perspective. NeuroRehabilitation, 22(5), 341–353. UNICEF Pakistan: https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/health This UNICEF Pakistan webpage offers a wealth of information on child health issues in the country, including statistics and details on their programs. The Borgen Project: https://borgenproject.org/ Transparent Hands: https://www.transparenthands.org/ World Health Organization (WHO) - Pakistan: https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html Health Research Policy and Systems Journal - What can Pakistan do to address maternal and child health over the next decade?: https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-015-0036-5. Murtaza, F., Mustafa, T., & Awan, R. (2015). Child health inequalities and its dimensions in Pakistan. Journal of family & community medicine, 22(3), 169–174. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8229.163036 Tharwani ZH, Bilal W, Khan HA, et al. Infant & Child Mortality in Pakistan and its Determinants: A Review. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing. 2023;60. doi:10.1177/00469580231167024
