CHILD HEALTH MONTH | August 2024

Kiara Health (Pty) Ltd shines a spotlight on Child Health month and gives us a chance to prioritize children's well-being.

Enhancing children's health is a global priority, with collaborative initiatives leading to decreased mortality rates among children under five years old. The South African government remains committed to meeting the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2050, in which specific targets include ending preventable deaths among children younger than 5 years (target 3.2), ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combating hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases (target 3.3). [1]

South Africa, however, is a complex puzzle. It stands out as one of the most unequal regions globally (World Bank , 2022), with half of its population living in extreme poverty. Conversely, the country boasts a high per capita income of $6766 (current USD) (World Bank, 2023). Remarkably, despite challenges, nearly 28.3% of South Africa's population is under 15 years old. [2]

Chronic health conditions are described as any physical, emotional, or mental condition that hinders a child from attending school regularly, performing typical school tasks, engaging in usual childhood activities, or necessitating frequent medical attention or treatment. This might involve regular medication use or the use of specialized equipment. In some developed countries, the prevalence of chronic health conditions is now greater than acute illnesses. The most common types of paediatric chronic health conditions are asthma and obesity, with rates increasing over time. Less common chronic conditions include chronic pain, cystic fibrosis (CF), and congenital heart disease (CHD). [3]

Treatment of children for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), commonly known as deworming involves a strategy of regular administration of albendazole or mebendazole and has been the main STH control strategy recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for over a decade. While deworming continues to be implemented throughout low and middle-income countries for the estimated 1,5 billion people with STH (caused by infection with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm species of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, and Trichuris trichiura), the evidence linking real-world experience of deworming with health outcomes is mixed. In a global empirical analysis of health outcomes among pre-school age children, a robust and consistent association between deworming and reduced stunting was detected, with additional evidence for reduced anaemia in sub-Saharan Africa. This global empirical analysis provides evidence to support the deworming of pre-school age children. [4] Is deworming a part of your family's health routine?

Currently in the heart of winter in the southern hemisphere, educational settings, where children engage in close contact and social interactions, are noted to be environments conducive to the spread of contagious illnesses. Research indicates that the occurrence of infectious diseases is linked to factors such as full-term birth, maternal education level, and whether preschools are public or private. These diseases (including the common cold and influenza) not only endanger health but also affect the emotions of teachers and parents, teacher-child interactions, and the general atmosphere in schools and classrooms. Where possible, avoid sending a sick child to school. [5]

Prioritizing physical and emotional well-being, establishing supportive surroundings, and raising awareness and taking action are essential measures to guarantee that children get the best start in life. By investing in their health and overall wellness, we set the stage for a brighter, healthier future for both our children and society.

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References:

1.?????? The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, ISSN: 0140-6736, Vol: 402, Issue: 10398, Pg. 313-335 (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00860-7 .

2.?????? Singh, U.K. (2024). Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa: Progress and Challenges. In: Regional Dimensions of Human Development in India and South Africa. Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5846-3_3 .

3.?????? Wright, K. D., Power, H. A., & Shivak, S. M. (2022). Child Health and Illness. Comprehensive Clinical Psychology, 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00145-XWright , K. D., Power, H. A., & Shivak, S. M. (2022). Child Health and Illness. Comprehensive Clinical Psychology, 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00145-X .

4.?????? Lo, N. C., Snyder, J., Addiss, D. G., Heft-Neal, S., Andrews, J. R., & Bendavid, E. (2018). Deworming in pre-school age children: A global empirical analysis of health outcomes. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 12(5), e0006500. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006500 .

5.?????? Kurt G, Serdaro?lu HU. Prevalence of Infectious Diseases in Children at Preschool Education Institutions and Stakeholder Opinions. Children. 2024; 11(4):447. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040447 .