Maternal and Child Health in Bolivia
Problems to address include access to healthcare facilities, socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, death during childbirth or in the postpartum period, lack of trained health care professionals and high maternal and infant mortality.
With the help of your classmates, you have determined the needs of a village. How will you address these needs? Is a vertical or horizontal health program better suited for your community? Each village is different. One size does not fit all when it comes to healthcare programming. In this forum describe the problem(s) you will address and the approach you will take. Again, seek the guidance of others’ experiences from the published peer-reviewed literature. Build on the past and the wisdom of others.
Previous Discussion
One of the most affected countries in South America is Bolivia. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and comprises of a variety of issues. The Bolivian community has approximately 10 million people in the population. It is important, therefore, to increase public health awareness. Compared to its physical and geographical size, the community’s heavily populated character is linked as well as related to various populations attracting characteristics such as socioeconomic factors and values. Mainly, this is an urbanized neighborhood with people from all walks of life and cultures residing in it. Community health evaluation determines the health profile of the various populations constituting a community. Often, various approaches are applied in determining such profiles.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Bolivia has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the region, with more than 160 reported maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.¹ Although the maternal mortality ratio has declined in recent years, there are still an estimated 400 maternal deaths that occur annually.² Increases in the number of cases of pregnant/expectant women dying in the process of birth have caused an alarm to the World Health Organization. Yearly, an estimate of 20-50 percent of these deaths are caused by infection, severe high blood pressure, and hemorrhage. Most pregnant women develop complications before birth while others have complications develop after birth.
These issues put the women at risk of getting illnesses while others die in the process. ³ Statistics show that maternal mortality happens within the first forty-two days after birth. Expectant mothers experience great risks when not properly treated during medical check-ups. Expectant mothers are required to undergo continuous treatment or medical check-ups to avoid the risk of exposing oneself or the child in danger. ⁴ However, the overall factors affecting these pregnant women are financial status, location, and race. In 2013, the DOS, in response to the high maternal deaths’ ratio, formed a task force that will provide the right medical facilities and services to ensure both safeties of the child and the mother. ⁵
With this issue, the nation may not experience economic growth and leads to many children being left as orphans. Women have become vulnerable to the risk of maternal death. According to the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, there is an increase in population size of maternal deaths with 17.2% deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015, with a great estimate of 5.5 percent coming from the Bolivian State. ⁶ Yucacaré is one of the most vulnerable ethnic populations in Bolivia that are currently affected by many health determinants, especially those of maternal health. Therefore, the above determinants are the basic reasons for the increasing cases of maternal mortality in the state of Bolivia. Many mothers when finding out that they are pregnant are filled with joy along with worry, it is important to remember that God is in control of everything and will look out for his followers. In Psalm 55:22 it states, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken”. ⁷
Required:
- Make sure this thread includes the following
- Your chosen region or village identified. (Bolivia)
- The specific maternal and child health issue clearly identified with support. (hemorrhage)
- The basic program you will use to address the health issue above.
- The steps you plan to implement your program.
- Whether you will utilize a vertical or horizontal approach.
- An integrated Biblical principle.
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CPP: 400