Childhood Stressors

My cousin and her young children experienced one of the worst natural disasters NJ has had in a while almost a year ago now, Hurricane Sandy. Being told to have to evacuate their house not knowing when they will be able to return and in what condition are they going to find the place they called home for almost 15 years is a stressor I would not want to have by my side. Packing just as much as they could grab for the short time they had to move on out and hoping their childhood memories and family heirlooms would not get completely destroyed. Her and the children were not able to return to the development where she lived for almost 3 weeks living with friends and family who didn’t have it as bad as they did. People around the world have the stress of preparing for a natural disaster as much as you can and wondering what they are going to have to deal with afterwards. There were many who were affected by Hurricane Sandy and are still trying to repair and restore their lives. There were so many wonderful people out there who gave their time and energy as well as their own personal belongings to help out communities in need. They found comrade-re in those that were affected by the hurricane as well. The children were all able to get together and try to find some sort of comfort and routine in their daily lives again. 

The last time we had to blog and research malnutrition in other countries I chose South Africa, so this time I chose to continue my research of childhood stressors in Africa and South Africa. Some traditional childhood stressors that seem likely in the United States could be parent’s divorce, hospitalization and possibly separation from parents. Children in South Africa have daily stressors of war and terror. There has been specific research conducted examining the emotional status of children exposed to political violence in the squatter camps of Cape Town. Stressful life events have been linked to major psychiatric disorders in South Africans as well as substance abuse and impulse control disorders. There are trauma support groups available for people in South Africa, some mainly geared toward children to help them cope through education and understanding. 

A quote I found through my research of South Africa I thought fit this assignment.

Children are not strangers to stress. Over a significant span of human history they have been more often the victims of the slings and arrows of an uncaring society than recipients of its beneficent protection. (Garmezy 1988, p 49

http://www.csvr.org.za/index.php/publications/1554-growing-up-in-violent-situations-the-south-african-situation.html

Child Development and Public Health- Malnutrition

Whether or not a child is well nourished in the first years of their life can have a profound effect on their behavioral and cognitive development as well as their overall health. Poor nutrition during intrauterine life and the early years can have effects such as delayed physical growth and motor development, their ability to think analytically, ability to learn, socialize effectively and adapt to new environments and people. Being well nourished is the first line of defense against numerous childhood diseases. Over half of child mortality in low income countries can be attributed to malnutrition. The earlier children begin to benefit from nutrition interventions the greater the improvement  on a child’s behavioral development. Malnutrition is a serious concern in many parts around the world.

Despite the worldwide reduction in food insecurity, Africa’s food security and nutrition situation is growing worse. African countries have collectively made the least progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger by half by 2015. It has been estimated that every minute 8 children under the age of 5 die in sub-Saharan Africa. Within the 46 countries in the African Region, there are 39 of them that have under 5 mortality rates of above 100 per 1000 live births. 

There are research projects being performed that are aimed at fighting child malnutrition in Africa. The local food staples in Africa lack a lot of micronutrients. Researchers hope that by adding micronutrients, more specifically VItamin A, to local food staples it will help fight malnutrition. Children that are a part of this research project are being followed around on a daily basis to see if these increases are improving their cognitive development. 

I chose to talk about Africa, but there are many more countries fighting the battle of malnutrition. It just breaks my heart to know innocent children are suffering and being cheated out of what could be a wonderful life due to being malnourished. I wish I could do more for these beautiful children out there. 

http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/frh/child-and-adolescent-health/programme-components/child-health.html

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTCY/EXTECD/0,,contentMDK:20207804~menuPK:528430~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:344939,00.html

http://www.euronews.com/2012/10/03/micronutrients-against-malnutrition/

Childbirth Around the World

I've never had the pleasure of giving birth myself yet and unfortunately was away at school when my niece's were born. I've never had the opportunity to be involved in a birth, but rather arrived at the hospital after the birth had already taken place. I know from my what my mom has told me about my own birth that my father was allowed in the delivery room for the first time when I was born. My brothers were born in the 60's and 70's and according to her experience with my brothers, the father was not allowed in the delivery room during that time. She also remembers staying in the hospital longer with my brothers than with me. It seems that nowadays hospitals are looking to discharge new moms and newborns a lot faster than years ago. To compare health care during pregnancy, I feel today Dr.'s have a tendency to order more tests and be more cautious than years ago. 

Upon researching countries and their birthing rituals, Holland caught my eye. Women in Holland do not see an obstetrician, rather they are referred by their family doctor to a local midwife practice. Doctor's will only intervene if there are complications during delivery. Women are the ones who decide if they are giving birth at home or at the hospital, and they are even to purchase a kraampakket, all of the medical supplies necessary for a home birth. If the decision is made to have a hospital birth, an epidural is only given at the connivence of the anesthesiologist. The vast majority of moms do give birth naturally in Holland due the scheduling issues. If the baby is born early in the day and there are no complications, then the mom and baby may go home in as little as 2 hours. When home the unique Dutch system of kraamhulp (maternity home care) takes place. For seven days  a nurse comes to the home, a benefit covered by insurance. She provides medical care, cleans the home, cooks, and instructs the new parents in basic parenting skills. 

Whether in Holland or the U.S., prenatal care during pregnancy is so important to the healthy development of the child. There is a tremendous amount of information out there that is accessible to new and soon to be parents. Knowing the goods and bads during pregnancy is a must.