The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Infant and child mortality in Afghanistan: a scoping review

Infant and child mortality in Afghanistan: a scoping review
Infant and child mortality in Afghanistan: a scoping review
Background and aims: since 1990, global child and infant mortality rates have typically stabilized or decreased due to improved healthcare, vaccination rollouts, and international funding. However, Afghanistan continues to face the highest child and infant mortality rates globally, with 43 deaths per 1000 live births. This study aims to examine the factors contributing to this high mortality rate and propose interventions to address the issue.

Methods: a comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed, focusing on articles published in English within the last 10 years (2013–2023). The search terms included “Child mortality,” “Infant mortality,” “SIDS,” “COVID-19,” and “Afghanistan.” Original studies, systematic reviews, case studies, and reports meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Additional sources from organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank Group, WHO, and EMRO were also reviewed.

Results: the study findings reveal significant challenges contributing to Afghanistan's high infant and child mortality rates. These challenges include birth defects, preterm birth, malnutrition, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), traumatic injuries, fatal infections, infanticide, and abuse. The ongoing conflict, insecurity, and humanitarian crises further exacerbate the situation, leading to increased child casualties. Despite efforts by international agencies like UNICEF to provide vaccines and maternal education, the infant mortality rate remains high.

Conclusion: in conclusion, Afghanistan's child and infant mortality rates are of significant concern, and it is imperative that action be taken to reduce the incidence of child and infant mortality rates.
Afghanistan, child mortality, infant mortality, public health
2398-8835
Qamar, Khulud
419e6a66-4ddc-4085-9db1-8b80e705623c
Essar, Mohammad Yasir
7ba803fe-3f4d-4021-a9f8-1eb7eba3fd24
Siddiqui, Javeria Arif
6b02f0c5-62c5-4733-a934-571d6bfd7e8d
Salman, Ariba
4141557d-77e8-42c8-999c-586ed3e65765
Salman, Yumna
0a9647da-a297-4530-ba71-0d70a228c514
Head, Michael G.
67ce0afc-2fc3-47f4-acf2-8794d27ce69c
Qamar, Khulud
419e6a66-4ddc-4085-9db1-8b80e705623c
Essar, Mohammad Yasir
7ba803fe-3f4d-4021-a9f8-1eb7eba3fd24
Siddiqui, Javeria Arif
6b02f0c5-62c5-4733-a934-571d6bfd7e8d
Salman, Ariba
4141557d-77e8-42c8-999c-586ed3e65765
Salman, Yumna
0a9647da-a297-4530-ba71-0d70a228c514
Head, Michael G.
67ce0afc-2fc3-47f4-acf2-8794d27ce69c

Qamar, Khulud, Essar, Mohammad Yasir, Siddiqui, Javeria Arif, Salman, Ariba, Salman, Yumna and Head, Michael G. (2024) Infant and child mortality in Afghanistan: a scoping review. Health Science Reports, 7 (7), [e2224]. (doi:10.1002/hsr2.2224).

Record type: Review

Abstract

Background and aims: since 1990, global child and infant mortality rates have typically stabilized or decreased due to improved healthcare, vaccination rollouts, and international funding. However, Afghanistan continues to face the highest child and infant mortality rates globally, with 43 deaths per 1000 live births. This study aims to examine the factors contributing to this high mortality rate and propose interventions to address the issue.

Methods: a comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed, focusing on articles published in English within the last 10 years (2013–2023). The search terms included “Child mortality,” “Infant mortality,” “SIDS,” “COVID-19,” and “Afghanistan.” Original studies, systematic reviews, case studies, and reports meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Additional sources from organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank Group, WHO, and EMRO were also reviewed.

Results: the study findings reveal significant challenges contributing to Afghanistan's high infant and child mortality rates. These challenges include birth defects, preterm birth, malnutrition, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), traumatic injuries, fatal infections, infanticide, and abuse. The ongoing conflict, insecurity, and humanitarian crises further exacerbate the situation, leading to increased child casualties. Despite efforts by international agencies like UNICEF to provide vaccines and maternal education, the infant mortality rate remains high.

Conclusion: in conclusion, Afghanistan's child and infant mortality rates are of significant concern, and it is imperative that action be taken to reduce the incidence of child and infant mortality rates.

Text
Health Science Reports - 2024 - Qamar - Infant and child mortality in Afghanistan A scoping review - Version of Record
Download (991kB)

More information

Accepted/In Press date: 14 June 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 10 July 2024
Published date: 10 July 2024
Keywords: Afghanistan, child mortality, infant mortality, public health

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 492772
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/492772
ISSN: 2398-8835
PURE UUID: f95abe8a-d6e4-46e6-9e15-35130296e2a6
ORCID for Michael G. Head: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1189-0531

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 13 Aug 2024 17:02
Last modified: 19 Dec 2024 02:46

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Khulud Qamar
Author: Mohammad Yasir Essar
Author: Javeria Arif Siddiqui
Author: Ariba Salman
Author: Yumna Salman
Author: Michael G. Head ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×