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Nurses' Role In Prevention Of Infant And Under-five Child Mortality In Africa
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Introduction
In urban areas of Africa, Americas and Asia, statistics show that the poorest 20% population is twice as likely to die before their first birthday (Infant mortal-ity, WHO, 2013). In 2013, an estimated 6.3 million children under the age of five died (Children: Reducing Mortality, 2014). Child mortality is important as it is a pointer of the usage, accessibility, and availability of the health system by the inhabitants especially children. It is also a sign of the extent in which a society exercises the most basic human right: the right to life and health (GOAL 4: Reduce the under-five child mortality rate, 2010).
Although the rate of under-five deaths has decreased by 28 per cent between 1990 and 2008, it still remains high (Goal 4 Reduce Child Mortality, 2010). Research and experience has revealed that out of the almost 11 million chil-dren deaths per year, more than half could be saved by measures such as vaccines, antibiotics, micronutrient supplementation, insecticide-treated bed nets and improved family care and breastfeeding practices (Goal: Reduce Child mortality, Unicef). Therefore, the intensification of the health system to provide such interventions could save many lives (Children: reducing mortali-ty, 2014). A report published by the United Nations (UN) claims that "nurses are key to achieving the United Nations Development Program’s Millennium Development Goals" which includes reducing child and maternal mortality (Amieva and Ferguson, 2011). According to an article titled "The vital role of health care workers" published by the guardian (2012), a child is more likely to live till their fifth birthday if there are enough midwives, nurses and doctors. If the rate of under-five mortality is to reduce, nurses need to be knowledgeable and empowered in caring for children. Therefore, this study aims to examine and identify the role of nurses in reducing and or preventing infant and child mortality with a purpose of providing research based information that could be used by nurses.
2 Infant and Child Mortality
2.1 Causes of infant and child mortality
Child mortality rate also known as under-five mortality rate is defined as the possibility that in every 1000 live births one baby will die before reaching age five: Whereas, the death of a child before his/her first birth day is termed infant death or infant mortality. Therefore, infant mortality rate is the number of chil-dren dying under a year of age by 1000 live births. Infant mortality rate is an important marker to measure the health and wellbeing of a population (Centre for disease control and prevention, 2014). This is because it is often linked to several factors such as maternal health, quality and access to medical care, socioeconomic conditions, and public health practices (Definition of Mortality, Infant, 2012).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The under-five mortality rate remains unacceptably high with 6.3 million children dying before their fifth birthday in 2013. Research has, however, revealed that nurses are the means to reducing these untimely deaths. The aim of this research is to examine and identify the role nurses play in preventing and reducing infant and under-five mortality. The purpose of the study was to provide research based information of the position of nurses in consideration to childhood deaths.Data for the resear ... Continue reading---
