Journal of health care for the poor and underserved
-
J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyUrban and rural differences across countries in child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
The purpose of this study is to investigate and document the differences between urban and rural areas across countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with respect to child mortality. We use recent data from Demographic and Health Surveys on 11 selected countries in SSA. Socioeconomic variables of household wealth, level of education of the mother, access to clinics, and other environmental variables are used as control variables in measuring the differences. The study employs logit regression to enable the use of the odds ratio to interpret differences across the urban and rural areas in SSA.
-
J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 2009
ReviewUnintentional childhood injuries in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview of risk and protective factors.
The rate of unintentional injuries for children in sub-Saharan Africa has reached 53.1 per 100,000, the highest for regions across all income levels. This paper reviews the relevant literature on the epidemiology of unintentional childhood injuries in the region, with an emphasis on the risk factors associated with it. ⋯ Accurate data regarding these injuries across and within countries is incomplete. Population-based estimates and investigations into context-specific risk factors, safety attitudes, and behaviours are needed to inform the development of effective interventions.
-
J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 2009
Addressing the social determinants of children's health: a cliff analogy.
This paper presents a "Cliff Analogy" illustrating three dimensions of health intervention to help people who are falling off of the cliff of good health: providing health services, addressing the social determinants of health, and addressing the social determinants of equity. In the terms of the analogy, health services include an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, a net or trampoline halfway down, and a fence at the top of the cliff. ⋯ Addressing the social determinants of equity acknowledges that the cliff is three-dimensional and involves interventions on the structures, policies, practices, norms, and values that differentially distribute resources and risks along the cliff face. The authors affirm that we need to address both the social determinants of health, including poverty, and the social determinants of equity, including racism, if we are to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities.
-
J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 2009
Social, economic, and political factors in progress towards improving child survival in developing nations.
Child mortality is a persistent health problem faced by developing nations. In 2000 the United Nations (UN) established a set of high priority goals to address global problems of poverty and health, the Millennium Development Goals, which address extreme poverty, hunger, primary education, child mortality, maternal health, infectious diseases, environmental sustainability, and partnerships for development. Goal 4 aims to reduce by two thirds, between 2000 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate in developing countries. ⋯ A multiple regression analysis examined the extent to which these factors explain the variance in child mortality rates in developing countries. Nutrition, external resources, and per capita income were shown to be significant factors in child survivability. Policy options include developed countries' renewed commitment of resources, and developing nations' commitments towards governance, development, equity, and transparency.