Low Birth Weights in Cambodia - Reasons and Solutions - Literature review Example

Running header: Cambodia Low Birth Weights Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Introduction The process of life development commences after the conception, the other phases of life depends on the success of the initial stages of life development. This includes foetal development in terms of the nutrition acquired from the mother and the general state of the mother physically and health wise. Issues related to health development commences at this stage of life. In developing worlds where socio-economic challenges prevail, the general health status of a significant portion of the populations is generally poor. This is mainly because of the inadequate nutrition as a result of poverty; the health status of majority of these people is also affected by their economic situation. Most developing nations suffer from common communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, intestinal parasites and malaria among others. This essentially means that the majority of expectant mothers transfer their poor health status to their unborn and hence the cause of several low birth weight in these countries. Low birth weight children face major challenges in their development process and they are therefore more likely to demise as compared to their heavier counterparts. This analysis pays a closer attention to Cambodia as a case study in exploring the major causes of high incidences of low birth weight as well as the impact of low birth weight to the health profile of children and adults in the country. Key indicators such as economy and health status of the country’s population will be exploited in order to shade more light on the significance of these variables and their relation to the prevailing health condition in the country. Cambodia is chosen because of a number of reasons, firstly the country is a good example of a developing nation faced with health and economic challenges. The country also has one of the most evident regional negligence by the central government. Thesis statement-What are the major causes of low birth weight in Cambodia and how it affects the general health profile of the people? What measures can be taken in order to reduce prevalence of low birth weight Reasons for high incidences of low birth weight in Cambodia According to Unicef (2012), low birth weight as defined by World Health Organization (WHO) is the weight at birth which is less than 2,500 grams or 5.5 pounds. This finding is essentially based on epidemiological observation that indicates that infants with weight less than 5.5 pounds are more likely to die as compared to infants with weight more than 5.5 pounds. In essence statistics indicate that these babies are about 20 times more likely to die as compare to their heavy counterparts. World Health Organization (WHO) has been in the forefront in actions aimed at reducing child mortality through decreasing incidences of low birth weight (United States, Agency for International Development, 2009). Low birth weight at birth is caused by a number of factors, either as a result of preterm birth, a period before 37 weeks of the gestation or as a result of restricted foetal (intrauterine) growth. Generally low birth weight relates to the infant, the mother as well as the prevailing environment (Kittler, & Such, 2007). In essence, the birth weight is by large extent affected by mother’s own foetal growth as well as her diet from the time of birth to pregnancy and hence her body status at conception. Generally mothers in developing worlds with socio-economic challenges frequently have relatively low birth weights infants. In these settings, incidence of low birth weight stems mostly from the mother’s poor nutrition as well as health over a prolonged period of time. This includes the pregnancy period (Kan, 2008). More so the prevalence of defined and non-defined infections, pregnancy complication underpinned by prevailing poverty conditions is a major genesis of incidences of low birth weight infants. Mothers in developing countries also face other major challenges such as working on physically demanding work in the pregnancy period, this generally hider foetal growth process. Kaiser family (2012) notes that more than 20 million infants worldwide which is about 15.5 % percent of all births are low weight. More than 95 % of these incidences are in developing countries. Almost half of all low birth weights are in South Central Asia, more than a quarter (27%) of all the infants weight less than 5.5 pounds. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 15 % are low birth infants. In central and south America, the rates are relatively lower, about 10 %. In Caribbean, the levels are almost as high as in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Oceania, the levels are relatively low, about 10 % (United Nations, 2012). As noted by Min (2006) Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia peninsula, it borders Thailand to the northwest and Vietnam to the east. Essentially Cambodia is a developing country with a population of about 15 million people and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $36 billion. Cambodia is one of the fastest growing economies in East Asia after years of civil war and the effects of Vietnam War in 1960s. Cambodia is also known as one of the most landmined countries in the world which has reported more than 60,000 deaths are as a result of unexploded mines. Health wise, Cambodia’s quality of health is improving, as at 2010, the life expectancy was about 60 years as compared to 1999 when the life expectancy was 49.8 years. The government spends about 5.8% of its GDP in health care (Merson, Black, & Mills, 2005, p.465). The infant mortality in the country is about 50 per every 1000 births. The causes of low birth weight in Cambodia are thus relatively the same as developing countries across the world. After years of civil war, the country’s economy is still on the rise and health and poverty related issues are straining expectant mothers in the country. With a GDP of $36 billion, majority of the Cambodians are still living under the poverty line. This essentially means that their purchasing power parity is low as compared to developed countries. Importantly, socio-economic conditions are the main causes of low birth weight related causes. Most Cambodians especially in Ratanakiri province where about 23 % of children die before the age of 5. According to Kan (2008) Cambodia has 9% of low birth weights. This is essentially because of poverty; most of the Ratanakiri residence cannot afford basic human wants such as adequate food, water and shelter. Some of the reasons for this situation are related to the past civil war and partly due to the effects of the Vietnam War. Essentially the region is sparsely populated with about 150,000 residents, about 1% of the country’s population. The province is the least developed with poor infrastructure and weak governance. The health indicators of the province are wanting; one in every four children born in the region dies before the age of five. The levels of education are also low with about ¾ of the population illiterate. More so, the province suffers most of the preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, cholera, intestinal parasites and tuberculosis among others (Chandrasekhar, 2012). As evident from Ratanakiri , the extreme province in Cambodia, the health situation is directly related to the low birth weight in the country which results in higher mortality rates. With the consideration that the country has suffered from civil wars which left the country with numerous unexploded landmines, most of the adults and children have been killed as a result. Those who have survived this situation have been maimed. Maimed expectant mothers face and even worse socio-economic situation and most of them are forced to beg for basic life needs. How low birth weight has impacted on nutritional and health profile of children and adults According to Unicef (2012), low birth weight is closely related to foetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth as well as cognitive development and possible chronic diseases later in life. Low birth weight therefore determines the future health of the infant. Since immunity development starts from the moment of conceptions, poor nutrition which hampers the growth process and hence the development of vital defense mechanisms in the body. Poverty conditions greatly impact on the nutritional values that pregnant mothers get; this in results affects the development of the infant after conceptions and after birth. Poorly nourished child develops with great difficulty in bodily defenses and is therefore more prone to diseases which affect the quality of life as well as the life expectancy of the child (Edelstein, 2010). Generally not all low birth weight children die; those that survive have a poor health profile in all stages of life development. This is evident in Ratanakiri province in Cambodia, because of the poverty levels; the general health profile of the province residence is poor. A large portion of the population is affected by communicable diseases which are by far preventable ( DeNisco & Barker, 2012). Recommendations In Cambodia, the rates of low birth weight are high and hence the general poor adult life in the country. As also noted, the main cause of low birth weight in the country is the socio-economic status of the majority of the population. With poverty prevailing, it is a major challenge to overcome health related issues which are responsible for the high mortality rates in the country (Ṇārʺun, & Naron, 2012). The government has made major steps towards increasing life expectancy by about 10 % in a decade, from 49 % in 1999 to 60% in 2010. While this is a major step in the right direction, the government needs to ensure that there is a balanced economic growth; a region such as Ratanakiri has the poorest governance and overall economic indicators such as road infrastructure and health indicators as a result of prevalence of communicable diseases which are preventable (Merson, Black, & Mills, 2005, p.465). A balanced economic growth and special focus on the most affected regions such as Ratanakiri will significantly improve the overall health status of the country and hence reduce the mortality rates (OECD, 2011). The government and other stakeholders can improve the overall socio-economic status by focusing on key economic indicators such as infrastructure and level of education; this can be done by introducing a campaign focused on the needs of hygiene and education in regions which are worse affected. Balanced resource distribution will also significantly reduce poverty levels in places such as Ratanakiri and hence improve health status of pregnant mothers which consequently reduce low birth weight and thus mortality rates ( Ear, 2012). The central government should also work closely with key defense stakeholders to eliminate cases of land mines in the country. After years of civil wars, most people have been affected by land mines explosion. In this sense, the government should work to avoid loss of life and major injuries as a result of land mines explosions (Shi, & Singh, 2011). Conclusion Socio-economic status of Cambodia, the country chosen for analysis in this case is the major cause of prevalence of low birth weight. Economic status is clearly linked to the poverty situations in several places in Cambodia and specifically Ratanakiri province. As in other parts of South Central Asia, Cambodia which is located in South East Asia has a significant low birth weight. Ratanakiri province is the most affected in Cambodia because of the poor local governance and road network infrastructure. This coupled with harsh rural life has affected the general health profile of the region. Most of the residences are affected by preventable diseases. Since poor childhood health status impact on the adulthood health status, the country is wanting in terms of resource balancing and basic campaign of the need to improve hygiene and educational status. Most of the children in this region are borne with low birth weight of 5.5 pounds, this increased their chances of demise and challenging adulthood for the survivors. It is recommended that the country enhances a health and education focused campaign on marginalized areas such as Ratanakiri. The government should also increase balance of the country’s economic resources in order for the marginalized regions to benefit as well. References Chandrasekhar, S. (2012). Infant Mortality, Population Growth and Family Planning in India: An Essay on Population Problems and International Tensions. Sydney: Routledge. DeNisco, S.M., & Barker A.M. (2012). Advanced Practice Nursing: Evolving Roles for the Transformation of the Profession. Michigan: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. P.552. Ear, S.(2012). Aid Dependence in Cambodia. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Edelstein, S .(2010). Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Kaiser family. (2012). U.S. Global Health Policy. Accessed from http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/data/topic/map.aspx?ind=47 Kan, J. (2008). Differences in Small-for-gestational-age and Preterm Birth Among Asian Subgroups in Relation to Nativity Status. New York, NY: ProQuest. Kittler, P G., & Such K.P. (2007). Food and Culture. New York, NY: Cengage Learning. P.386- 390. Merson, M.H., Black , R. E., & Mills, A.(2005). International Public Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems, and Policies. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Learning. P.465 Min, P.G.(2006). Asian Americans: Contemporary Trends and Issues. Michigan: Pine Forge Press. Ṇārʺun, H.J., & Naron, H.C.(2012). Cambodian Economy: Charting the Course of a Brighter Future : a Survey of Progress, Problems and Prospects. London: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. OECD. (2011). Health at a Glance: Asia/Pacific 2010. New Jersey, NJ: OECD Publishing. Shi, L., & Singh, D.A.(2011). 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