Scenario: Health Challenges Across the Afghan Lifespan
Abrisham, a fourteen-year-old pregnant teen, has fled from her hometown in Farah province to a tent city 300 kilometers away due to intensified fighting. She has traveled with her two siblings, three- and nine-year-old boys, along with her forty-year-old mother, Farida, and sixty-year-old father, Yasif. The local health service provider located 100 kilometers from their hometown had reduced their services, leaving Abrisham and her family with no access to healthcare since their move. The situation has worsened with no health providers in the tent city vicinity.
Her parents are very concerned about Abrisham's lack of maternal care, which will affect her newborn. Farida fears her boys and grandchild will suffer from malnutrition and lack of immunizations. Farida herself suffers from severe depression due to her recent pregnancy and preterm loss in the last year. Yasif, who suffers from worsening vision loss and early-onset dementia, has limited resources and worries he can't provide for his family.
Additionally, read the Review of Policies, Data, and Interventions to Improve Maternal Nutrition in Afghanistan paper to get a comprehensive example of maternal health and its policies and intervention in Afghanistan.
Prompt
Apply your disciplinary perspective to evaluate the major health challenges implied by the case. In other words, defend your professional viewpoint regarding the most important factors that contribute to the health challenge. Then, in your responses, work as a group to refine those initial assessments.
In your initial post, address the following elements. Provide at least three scholarly sources from the last five years to support your claims:
Evaluate the major health challenges related to reproduction and infants by going through this case. What factors can prevent early pregnancies and reduce poor reproductive outcomes? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Assess the major health challenges faced by the children in this case. What strategies can be taken to reduce the causes of death and illness for these children? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Evaluate the major health concerns faced by the older adults in this case. What strategies can be taken to reduce the health concerns for the elderly in this case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Full Answer Section
-
Community Engagement and Social Support: Engaging community leaders, parents, and teachers in promoting responsible sexual behavior and providing support to pregnant adolescents can help reduce early pregnancies and improve reproductive outcomes. [3]
Health Challenges Faced by Children
The children in this case are at risk of malnutrition, lack of immunizations, and potential exposure to infectious diseases due to their displacement and lack of access to healthcare. Malnutrition can lead to stunting, wasting, and impaired cognitive development, while lack of immunizations increases susceptibility to preventable diseases.
Strategies to Reduce Causes of Death and Illness for Children:
-
Promoting Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices: Educating mothers on proper infant and young child feeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods, can prevent malnutrition. [4]
-
Expanding Immunization Coverage: Implementing comprehensive immunization programs and ensuring access to routine vaccinations can protect children from preventable diseases. [5]
-
Improving Sanitation and Hygiene: Providing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene practices can reduce the spread of infectious diseases. [6]
Health Concerns Faced by Older Adults
Farida and Yasif face significant health challenges related to depression, vision loss, and early-onset dementia. Depression can have a profound impact on mental and physical well-being, while vision loss and dementia can impair daily functioning and independence.
Strategies to Reduce Health Concerns for the Elderly:
-
Mental Health Support: Providing access to mental health services, including counseling and support groups, can help individuals cope with depression and improve their mental well-being. [7]
-
Vision Care Services: Ensuring access to affordable vision care services, including cataract surgery and eyeglasses, can help prevent and manage vision loss. [8]
-
Geriatric Care and Support Services: Providing comprehensive geriatric care, including home care, community-based services, and caregiver support, can help individuals with dementia maintain independence and quality of life. [9]
References:
[1] UN Women (2020). Comprehensive Sexuality Education: A Guide for Policymakers and Educators.
[2] UNFPA (2017). Adolescent-Friendly Health Services: Operational Guidance for Delivery and Implementation.
[3] World Health Organization (2014). Guidelines on Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Key Recommendations for Educators, Parents, and Policymakers.
[4] World Health Organization (2009). Infant and Young Child Feeding: Key Messages for Action.
[5] World Health Organization (2018). State of the World Immunization Report.
[6] UNICEF (2019). WASH for Every Child: A Global Strategy to Leave No Child Behind.
[7] World Health Organization (2018). Mental Health: A Global Action Plan.
[8] World Health Organization (2021). World Report on Vision.
[9] World Health Organization (2016). Global Action Plan on Ageing and Health.
Sample Answer
Reproductive Health Challenges
Abrisham's young age and lack of access to maternal care raise significant concerns about her health and the well-being of her unborn child. Early pregnancy poses numerous risks to both the mother and the baby, including increased chances of premature birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. Inadequate maternal care during pregnancy and childbirth further exacerbates these risks.
Factors Preventing Early Pregnancies and Reducing Poor Reproductive Outcomes:
-
Access to Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Education: Empowering adolescents with accurate information about sexuality, contraception, and reproductive health can help prevent early pregnancies and promote informed decision-making. [1]
-
Adolescent-Friendly Health Services: Providing accessible, confidential, and non-judgmental health services for adolescents can encourage them to seek guidance on reproductive health issues and access contraception if desired. [2]