The Public Health Problem in Ethiopia
The Public Health Problem in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is located in the horn of Africa with 72.4 million populations which over 50% of whom are under 20 year-old. Its GDP per capital is 470.22 USD ranked as the 11 bottom in the world. Malnutrition is a major public health problem in many developing countries, and it is one of the main health problems facing women and children in Ethiopia.
The country has the second highest rate of malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. The 4 major forms of malnutrition in Ethiopia are acute and chronic malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), vitamin A deficiency (VAD), and iodine deficiency disorder (IDD). In Ethiopia, one in four women (27%) are thin (have body mass index of less than 18.5), and the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is one of the highest in the world due to the poor nutritional status of women both before and during pregnancy which cause malnutrition starts very early in life for large numbers of children who become progressively more malnourished during the first two years of life. By 24 months, considerable damage to the developing child has been done and satisfactory recovery becomes less likely. 47% of children under five years old are considered to be stunted.
Malnutrition has several consequences effecting Ethiopia. A deficiency significantly lowers the resistance of infections and increases the risk of infection and death. Millions children die of severe malnutrition each year. Productivity of individuals is also reduced, and that lowers the ability of children to think and become creative and productive adults. Eventually when the productivity of the adult is decrease, poverty in the country continues perpetually.
Malnutrition is influenced by many factors acting at multiple levels. These factors often act in a continuous cycle and include dietary intake issues, diseases, food insecurity, child health care and sanitation services, illiteracy and poverty. The poverty may result from large family size,
Ethiopia is located in the horn of Africa with 72.4 million populations which over 50% of whom are under 20 year-old. Its GDP per capital is 470.22 USD ranked as the 11 bottom in the world. Malnutrition is a major public health problem in many developing countries, and it is one of the main health problems facing women and children in Ethiopia.
The country has the second highest rate of malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. The 4 major forms of malnutrition in Ethiopia are acute and chronic malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), vitamin A deficiency (VAD), and iodine deficiency disorder (IDD). In Ethiopia, one in four women (27%) are thin (have body mass index of less than 18.5), and the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is one of the highest in the world due to the poor nutritional status of women both before and during pregnancy which cause malnutrition starts very early in life for large numbers of children who become progressively more malnourished during the first two years of life. By 24 months, considerable damage to the developing child has been done and satisfactory recovery becomes less likely. 47% of children under five years old are considered to be stunted.
Malnutrition has several consequences effecting Ethiopia. A deficiency significantly lowers the resistance of infections and increases the risk of infection and death. Millions children die of severe malnutrition each year. Productivity of individuals is also reduced, and that lowers the ability of children to think and become creative and productive adults. Eventually when the productivity of the adult is decrease, poverty in the country continues perpetually.
Malnutrition is influenced by many factors acting at multiple levels. These factors often act in a continuous cycle and include dietary intake issues, diseases, food insecurity, child health care and sanitation services, illiteracy and poverty. The poverty may result from large family size,