Blog 4: High Infant Mortality and Female Literacy Rates in Somalia

 High Infant Mortality and Female Literacy Rates in Somalia 

Somalia is a low-income country belonging to Eastern Africa and is located near Ethiopia and Kenya. The very poor living conditions of this area is not sustainable for healthy living. Many factors such as a weak government, low economic opportunity, lacking of healthcare, and terrorism are caused by military conflicts resulting in a Somali Civil War. As one of the leading sources of refugees, many of its citizens of Somalia hope to escape a life challenged with hunger and insecurity. In addition, Somalia obtains the world's second highest infant mortality rate of 89.5 deaths/1,000 live births (Central Intelligence Agency, 2018). We will explore the validity of a low female literacy rate in Somalia as a leading factor to an alarmingly high infant mortality rate. Those continuing to dwell within these harsh standards are faced with numerous risks to personal health and wellness. 

Reproductive health is an important aspect to the overall standing of a nation. This sector of health treats a multitude of concerns from sexually transmitted infections to the livelihood of infants and pregnant women. Precautions and preventions are important to stress in order to reduce the risk of contracting diseases or illnesses, decrease the financial burden of seeking medical help, and promote healthy behaviors among populations. A strain on sexual reproductive knowledge can negatively impact a vast majority of a country’s population. Abdiasis Yalahow, Mariam Hassan, and Angel M Foster presented that “The lack of functioning formal educational institutions during the civil war from 1991 to 2012 meant that the training of a generation of healthcare workers did not occur.” (Yalahow, A., Hassan, M., & Foster, A., 2017). Since higher education in Somalia was absent during the civil war, then individuals were restricted from the opportunity to educate themselves and others on topics of healthy living. Collegiate studies provide individuals with the academic framework that will ultimately prepare them for future employment opportunities. A deficit in nursing education, specifically in sexual reproductive health, will hinder the amount of information that expecting mothers will have about what is necessary to deliver and provide for a healthy child. The United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, sector in Somalia states that “More than 80 percent of newborn deaths are due to prematurity, asphyxia, complications during birth, or infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, measles and neonatal disorders” (UNICEF, 2020). Pregnant women need to be aware of their nutritional status in order to determine the outcome that the child will be healthy. This information is difficult to receive in Somalia under the circumstances that healthcare professionals are limited and poorly educated. 

Infant Mortality Rate 2013 (IMR 2013) vs. Female Literacy Rate (FLR)
(Susuman, A. S., Chialepeh, W. N., Bado, A., & Lailulo, Y., 2016)

(Susuman, A. S., Chialepeh, W. N., Bado, A., & Lailulo, Y., 2016)

Works Cited 

Central Intelligence Agency. (2018, February 01). The World Factbook: Somalia. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/so.html

Susuman, A. S., Chialepeh, W. N., Bado, A., & Lailulo, Y. (2016). High infant mortality rate, high total fertility rate and very low female literacy in selected African countries. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 44(1), 2–5. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494815604765

UNICEF. (2020, September 21). Health. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.unicef.org/somalia/health

Yalahow, A., Hassan, M., & Foster, A. (2017). Training reproductive health professionals in a post-conflict environment: Exploring medical, nursing, and midwifery education in Mogadishu, Somalia. Reproductive Health Matters, 25(51), 114-123. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/26495957