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Understanding Health Needs in Ruarwe...

     

Health Facts: Malawi

»     The total population of Malawi is around 15,000,000 with a huge 80% living in rural areas

»     Life expectancy at birth is only 44 for men and 51 for women

»     The adult mortality rate is a whopping 600 per 1000 adults aged 15-59

»     Under 5 mortality is 110 per 1000 live births

»     Maternal mortality ratio is 510 per 100,000 live births

»     1 in 10 adults aged between 15-49 are HIV positive

»     Total expenditure on health per capita is $50 which equates to 6.2% of GDP

»     There are currently only 0.2 physicians per 10 000 of the population

Health in Ruarwe

What we've learnt so far...

During the months of April to July 2011 our now full time UK doctor went out to visit Ruarwe village and its health centre. With assistance from the District Health Officer the centre was reopened with over 800 patients attending in the first 3 months. During this time extensive data was collected enabling us to perform an initial health needs assessment.

The Population

The population demographic shows a fairly even split between men and women with almost a third of patients being under 5 years of age and a large number of women in their reproductive years.

Disease Profile

The most common diseases seen in the health centre are in line with national estimates of the burden of disease, with the majority falling into the category of communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions. Malaria, diarrhoeal disease and upper and lower respiratory tract infections made up 75% of consultations at Ruarwe health centre.

HIV & AIDS

One area of difference between national and local estimates is the burden of HIV and AIDS. Whereas HIV/AIDS is shown to be the leading cause of mortality and disability nationally, the number of people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Ruarwe is falsely low. This is because 75% of male patients and 60% of female patients aged between 15-49 seen in clinic had never even been tested.

Nutrition

Children under 5 years and pregnant women are most seriously affected by poor nutrition which can have devastating results. Villagers are mainly growing cassava which they then dry and pound to a flour which is used to make nsima. While this satisfies hunger it provides little in the way of nutrition. Diets are lacking in essential fats, protein and vitamins.

Women's Health

A large percentage of the population demographic is made up of women in their reproductive years. The scope for antenatal care, perinatal care and family planning is huge. Until the recent opening of the health centre pregnant women were either required to walk 5 hours to the nearest health centre for antenatal care or, more commonly, not attend any antenatal care services at all.

Access to Healthcare

The lack of infrastructure and affordable transportation is a barrier to patients attending the district and central hospitals for essential yet basic medicines and investigations. In addition to improving basic primary health care services there is also a great need for assistance in accessing secondary health care services.

 

Health Education

Another area of great need is within health education. Education is paramount to helping individuals and communities improve their health and that of their families. Health education, if approached in the appropriate manner, can be a great tool in empowering people to make sustainable changes in their lives, which consequently leads to vast improvements in personal health care. In partnership with Nyumba ya Masambiro classes on sanitation, nutrition, HIV and AIDS and many more topics will be available to all.

 

Copyright © Phunzira 2011. All Rights Reserved.