Maternal health and childbirth in Pakistan

 

Maternal health and childbirth in Pakistan

20 important facts 

1.    High Birth Rate: Approximately 5.5 million babies are born in Pakistan each year, which translates to around 14,900 births every day.

2.    Early Motherhood: 8% of young women (aged 20-24) give birth by the age of 18

3.    Neonatal Mortality: Around 671 babies die daily before reaching their first month of life.

4.    Stillbirths: Pakistan experiences 665 stillbirths every day.

5.    Urban-Rural Disparities: The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in rural areas is 62 deaths per 1,000 live births, while in urban areas, it’s 47 deaths per 1,000 live births¹.

6.    Socioeconomic Impact: Neonatal mortality is higher among the poorest households (62 per 1,000 live births) compared to the richest households (34 per 1,000 live births).

7.    Maternal Mortality: Pakistan’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is 178 deaths per 100,000 live births.

8.    Education Matters: Newborns with less educated mothers are 2.4 times more likely to die during the first month compared to those born to mothers with higher education.

9.    Postnatal Care: Only 51.7% of mothers receive postnatal care within 2 days of childbirth.

10. Family Planning: The demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods is 48.7%.

11. Infant Survival: Approximately 665 stillbirths occur daily in Pakistan.

12. Slow Progress: While progress has been made in reducing maternal and child mortality, the decline in neonatal mortality has been slow.

13. Health Disparities: Urban-rural disparities persist, affecting access to quality maternal and newborn care.

14. Physician Density: Pakistan has 0.8 physicians per 1,000 population.

15. Nurse and Midwife Density: There are 0.6 nurses and midwives per 1,000 population.

16. Educational Divide: Neonatal mortality is higher among mothers with less education.

17. Coverage Challenges: Ensuring care for mothers remains a challenge, especially in rural areas.

18. Stagnant Progress: Child mortality reduction has been stagnant in the last decade, with only a 27% decline in neonatal mortality rates.

19. Quality of Care: Efforts are being made to improve the quality of care around childbirth in Pakistan.

20. Continued Efforts Needed: Addressing maternal and newborn health disparities requires sustained attention and targeted interventions.

ALARMING FACTS ABOUT DIABETES THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF:

ALARMING FACTS ABOUT DIABETES THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF:

1.     Etymology: The word “diabetes” comes from Greek, meaning “siphon,” referring to the excessive urine output in uncontrolled diabetes. “Mellitus” (Latin for “honey” or “sweet”) was added when physicians discovered that the urine of people with diabetes is sweet due to glucose.

2.    Ancient Recognition: The earliest recorded mention of a disease resembling diabetes dates back to the Ebers papyrus (1500 B.C.), which included remedies to manage frequent urination.

3.    Insulin Discovery: Insulin, essential for managing diabetes, was named after the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas (from the Latin “insula,” meaning “island”).

4.    Pancreas Link: In 1889, Oskar Minkowski discovered the connection between diabetes and the pancreas by removing a dog’s pancreas, leading to diabetes.

5.    Pre-Insulin Era: Before insulin’s discovery, diabetic patients often faced starvation diets, and gangrene was a severe complication.

6.    Tragic Case: In 1996, a 16-year-old girl died in Pennsylvania because her parents relied on prayer instead of providing her with diabetes medicine.

7.    Type 1 Diabetes and Viruses: Some studies suggest a link between Type 1 diabetes onset and viruses like mumps or Coxsacki.

8.    Disparities: African-Americans and Hispanics have higher rates of Type 2 diabetes than whites, with varying death rates.

9.    Diabetes and Alzheimer’s: Individuals with diabetes are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

10.    Amputations: Approximately 86,000 lower-limb amputations occur annually among diabetics in the United States.

11.    Heart Attack Risk: Diabetics are more likely to die from heart attacks than non-diabetics.

12.    Prevalence: Over 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and 1 in 5 may not know they have it.

13.    Kidney Failure: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases.

14.    Type 2 Symptoms: Type 2 diabetes often presents without noticeable symptoms.

15.    Prediabetes: About 98 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, with most unaware of their condition.

16.    Eighth Leading Cause of Death: Diabetes ranks eighth among causes of death in the United States.

17.    Diabetes and Blindness: Diabetes contributes to cataracts and blindness in a significant percentage of cases.

18.    Unknown Reasons: The link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s remains unclear.

19.    Gender and Amputation Rates: Rates of amputation are higher among men and African-Americans.

20.    Dietary Misconceptions: Contrary to popular belief, diabetes isn’t solely caused by excessive sugar consumption.

Remember, awareness and education are crucial in managing diabetes effectively.

With thanks to follwing sources

1. nm.org 2. apollosugar.com3. cdc.gov 4. factretriever.com 5.v en.wikipedia.org

Emergency home remedies for toothache

Emergency home remedies for toothache

It is well known fact that  Toothaches can be quite painful, and while it’s essential to see a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment, there are some emergency home remedies for toothache to alleviate the discomfort. Remember that these remedies are not a substitute for professional dental care, especially if the pain persists or worsens. Here are some emergency and home remedies for toothache:

Saltwater Rinse:

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.

Gargle with this saltwater solution to help reduce inflammation and disinfect the area.

Spit it out after rinsing.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse:

Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water.

Use it as a mouthwash to relieve pain and inflammation.

Do not swallow it.

Cold Compress:

Apply a cold compress (ice pack) to the affected area.

It constricts blood vessels, reducing pain and swelling.

Hold it against your cheek for 20 minutes at a time.

Peppermint Tea Bags:

Use cooled peppermint tea bags to soothe sensitive gums.

Apply a warm (not hot) tea bag to the affected area.

Alternatively, chill the tea bag in the freezer and apply it to cool the area.

Garlic:

Crush a garlic clove to release its natural oils.

Apply the garlic paste directly to the painful tooth.

Garlic has antimicrobial properties and may help reduce pain.

Vanilla Extract:

Soak a cotton ball in pure vanilla extract.

Place it on the affected tooth for temporary relief.

Vanilla has alcohol content that numbs the area.

Clove Oil:

Dab a cotton ball with clove oil (eugenol).

Apply it to the painful tooth or gum.

Clove oil has natural analgesic properties.

Guava Leaves:

Chew fresh guava leaves or use them as a mouthwash.

Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Wheatgrass Juice:

Rinse your mouth with wheatgrass juice.

It can help reduce pain and fight bacteria.

Thyme:

Boil thyme leaves in water to make a mouthwash.

Thyme has antibacterial properties.

Remember to consult your dentist if the pain persists or if you suspect an underlying dental issue. They can provide proper guidance and treatment. 🦷