Search4Dev

Search4Dev is an online library for digital documents from Dutch development organizations. This website offers quick and easy access to these documents.

Reaching every child with effective child health interventions in Eritrea


Document type: mthesis
Download file(s): 185301 (1298 KB)
Abstract: PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Eritrea is one of the least developed countries in Africa. After gaining its independence from Ethiopia child mortality decreased from 160/1000 live births (in 1991) to 93/1000 live births (in 2002). Fast reduction was observed from 1990-1999; the mortality figure is declining slowly after 1999 which calls for pragmatic solution. OBJECTIVE: To study factors hampering the survival status of children in Eritrea & review the evidence of effective coverage of child health interventions by household and community integrated management of child hood illness (HH&c-IMCI) programme and identify requirements for scaling up so as to come up with policy, research and programme recommendation. METHODS: A review of data from health management information system, demographic health survey, and studies conducted by Ministry of Health was undertaken. Child survival determinants are analysed using Mosley and Chen model, framework for HH&c-IMCI is used to analyse implementation, Tanahashi/Knippenberg model is used to analyse effective coverage of two indicator diseases. RESULTS: The majority of children live under the poverty line in Eritrea and do not receive effective child health interventions because of barriers generated by poverty, culture, and gender as well as health system. Universal coverage of nutrition interventions and integrated case management of childhood infections can reduce child mortality considerably. Community based interventions have the potential to provide equitable coverage by reaching families with children who may not adequately utilize the services of the health system as evidenced from cases of Nepal, Tanzania and Eritrea however cannot achieve neonatal death reduction alone hence strong linkage of community and health facility intervention is necessary. Scaling up these interventions requires increase funding, strong district health management team and resolving cross cutting health system constraints. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Eritrea needs to have strong community program to improve child mortality situation because improved child care practices in the family can reduce child mortality considerably. Reaching every child with effective intervention requires complementary effort of community and health facility.
Authors: Gebremedhin, Y.H.
Country: Eritrea
Category: Research
Department: Development Policy & Practice
Institute: KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords: children , health , health services
Language: eng
Organization: KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE: vii, 75
Year: 2008
Region: East Africa
Right: © 2008 Gebremedhin
Subject: Health and Nutrition
Title: Reaching every child with effective child health interventions in Eritrea
Training: Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)