In Nigeria, infant and under-five mortality rates have remained steady, at 74 and 117 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively. At these mortality levels, one Nigerian child of every 13 born dies before age 1, and one in every eight does not survive before their fifth birthday. These are not just figures; these are human beings dying due to poor healthcare. The following are some factors critical to safeguarding the health of children.
Breastfeeding
Many women are discouraged from breastfeeding or have been led to believe their children will get a better start in life if they are fed infant formula and other commercial substitutes for breast milk. However, infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk. Breastfeeding is the best possible start towards good health and nutrition. According to the World Health Organization, exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age could prevent the deaths of more than 200,000 infants each year. Appropriate breastfeeding means feeding within the first hour of life with skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant.
It is a practice with lifelong health benefits. For example, people who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be of higher weight later in life and may be less prone to diabetes and are more likely to perform better in intelligence tests. In addition, breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. The milk has the proper nutrients, is easy to digest, and is readily available. Furthermore, it contains antibodies that help your baby fight viruses and bacteria critical in those tender, early months.
Hygiene and clean water
Access to clean water is crucial to reducing the toll of disease caused by unclean drinking water. Adopting hygiene practices such as using latrines, washing hands before handling food and preparing food correctly, coupled with access to clean water, can significantly minimize waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery arising from consuming contaminated water. Not only does clean water lead to improved health outcomes for individuals and communities but it is also associated with reduced mortality and a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, lack of access to clean water can increase the risk of contracting cancer and liver disease. In addition, clean water is vital for the body to produce antibodies and fight off infections. Therefore, increased access to clean water is essential for reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and improving overall public health.
Nutrition
Vitamin A supplementation could prevent thousands of children from dying yearly. The solution to the problem may be realized by improving diets, fortifying foods, or distributing vitamin-A capsules. Distributing two-cent vitamin-A capsules periodically to young children is already effective in lands where vitamin-A deficiency is common. Also recommended are foods like papayas, mangoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and eggs.
Vaccination
Advances in medical science have enabled us to protect our children against more diseases than ever before. As a result, we have eliminated several diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, and others are rapidly approaching extinction due to safe and effective vaccines. For example, Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country. Still, today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of Polio in the United States.
Vaccination is very safe and effective. Scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals conduct a long and careful review before administering vaccines to children. Although vaccines may cause pain, redness or tenderness at the injection site, this discomfort is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort and trauma of the diseases they prevent.
Oral Rehydration Therapy
UNICEF says that half the annual child deaths caused by diarrhea could be prevented with inexpensive and easy-to-prepare mixtures of clean water, salt, and sugar or rice powder. Parents should also continue to give their child food. An estimated one million lives a year are being saved by these means.
Adequate Sleep
Sleep is essential to your child’s mental and physical health because it allows your child’s mind and body to rest and recover. A child’s brain needs sleep to restore resources used during the day. A well-rested brain can solve problems, learn new information, and enjoy the day more than a tired brain. Children who consistently get a good night’s sleep are more creative, can concentrate on tasks for longer, have better problem-solving abilities, and can learn and remember new things.
Not getting enough sleep each night can have negative consequences for your child. These cannot permanently be erased with extra sleep the next night. Over time, not getting enough quality sleep each night can produce a range of behavioural, cognitive and emotional symptoms.
The amount of sleep a child needs varies depending on the individual and certain factors, including the child’s age. For example, newborns should sleep about 15 hours daily, while children from 1 to 12 generally need 10-12 hours of sleep.
Bottom Line
The environment that influences your health the most is your home and your neighbourhood. Your environment can be a health hazard because of the water. Infections, skin diseases, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and other afflictions are caused by insufficient and unsafe water. Keeping the environment clean is a prerequisite for safeguarding a child’s health.
