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.
Guide On Rating System
Vote
Major health challenges related to reproduction and infants in this case include early pregnancies and poor reproductive outcomes. According to a study by Ortolano et al. (2018), early marriage and lack of access to contraception contribute to early pregnancies in Afghanistan. Inadequate healthcare services, such as the reduction of services by the local health service provider, further exacerbate the problem.
To prevent early pregnancies and reduce poor reproductive outcomes, it is essential to address the underlying factors. Strategies should include comprehensive sexual education programs and increasing access to contraception. According to a study by Williamson et al. (2020), increasing access to family planning services can help to prevent unintended pregnancies and improve maternal and child health outcomes. Providing counseling and support for pregnant teens, like Abrisham, is crucial to ensure they receive appropriate care throughout their pregnancy.
The major health challenges faced by the children in this case include malnutrition and lack of immunizations. The displacement and lack of access to healthcare services make it difficult for them to receive necessary nutrition and vaccinations.
To reduce the causes of death and illness among children, strategies should focus on improving nutrition and immunization coverage. According to a study by Hansen et al. (2017), implementing integrated community-based interventions that address multiple causes of malnutrition can effectively improve child health outcomes. Strengthening routine immunization programs and establishing mobile immunization clinics can help reach children in remote areas, as suggested by Velema et al. (2017).
The major health concerns faced by the older adults in this case include worsening vision loss and early-onset dementia. Limited resources and lack of healthcare services make it challenging for Yasif to receive appropriate treatment and support.
To reduce health concerns for the elderly, strategies should include improving access to geriatric care and support services. According to a study by Azizzada et al. (2017), there is a need to develop specialized geriatric care units and train healthcare providers in geriatric health. Additionally, community-based care programs and support groups can help address the mental health needs of older adults, as suggested by Vahdat et al. (2019).
In conclusion, the major health challenges in this case include early pregnancies, poor reproductive outcomes, malnutrition, lack of immunizations, worsening vision loss, and early-onset dementia. Strategies to address these challenges should focus on increasing access to reproductive health services, implementing integrated community-based interventions for children, and improving access to geriatric care and support services for older adults.