Heather Discussion: Hello Everyone! In This Scenario, The Ma

Heather Discussion: Hello everyone! In this scenario, the major health challenge is malnutrition. With this health challenge, women and children have other factors that they face. Women, especially during the reproductive stage of life, need a well-balanced diet to promote a healthy pregnancy for herself and the baby. According to Fatima, Nosheen, Afzaal, Islam, Noreen, Imran, and Ali, “proper nutrition and healthy eating habits are essential for survival…and overall health, whereas household food insecurity leads to poor physical and mental health, frequent hospitalizations, and premature deaths of infants” (2023).

For Abrisham and her family, leaving home and having no access to healthcare will negatively affect their health and can lead to malnutrition if conditions aren’t met to alleviate the issue. When it comes to factors on preventing early pregnancies and reducing poor reproductive outcomes, policies have been in development since the early 2000s. According to Kim, Mansoor, Paya, Ludin, Ahrar, Mashal, and Todd, “a systematic review of evidence-based nutrition programmes taken to scale found that the following components improve birth outcomes and overall household nutrition: micronutrient supplementation, food fortification and supplements, nutrition education and counselling, and conditional cash transfers” (2020).

One specific program that helped with maternal nutrition was the 2003 National Reproductive Health Strategy. This program aimed to “improve reproductive health through the safe motherhood initiative, specifically during ANC, PNC, and family counseling [and] focus on micronutrient supplementation and nutrition education at community and facility levels” (Kim, et al., 2020). For children in this case, malnutrition can affect them from the beginning of their life, if not properly given the nutrition to help with development and growth. For Abrisham’s two siblings, malnutrition can cause major problems for their growth and could cause other major health concerns. According to the World Food Programme, “3.2 million children under the age of five expected to suffer from acute malnutrition and 1 million of these children are at risk of dying due to severe acute malnutrition without immediate treatment” (2021).

There are strategies that can be taken to reduce the cause of deaths and illnesses in children. According to Rahmat, Rafi, Nadeem, Salman, Nawaz, and Essar, “the Afghan government introduced a series of nutritional programs and agendas that centered around reconstructing the healthcare system and creating strong nutritional policies and regulatory bodies” (2022). With these programs and strategies, children’s health and development improved. The Scaling Up Movement saw that “the number of children receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition significantly increased in 2018” (Rahmat et al., 2022). For the older adults in this case, this health challenge can affect them, but not in the same ways as women and children.

Paper For Above instruction

Malnutrition remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Afghanistan, impacting women, children, and the elderly across different stages of life. Its multifaceted consequences hinder growth, development, and survival, necessitating comprehensive strategies tailored to vulnerable populations. Addressing malnutrition requires understanding the specific needs of each demographic, implementing targeted nutritional programs, and reinforcing healthcare infrastructure.

Impact of Malnutrition on Women

Women, particularly during the reproductive years, are highly susceptible to malnutrition's adverse effects. Proper maternal nutrition is critical for ensuring healthy pregnancies and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Malnutrition in pregnant women can lead to anemia, calcium deficiencies, and other micronutrient deficiencies, increasing the risk of complications such as hemorrhage, eclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight (Kim et al., 2020). For adolescent girls like Abrisham, who has not yet completed her physical development, these deficiencies can be even more detrimental, affecting her growth and future reproductive health (SNHU, 2022).

The pre-existing broken healthcare system in Afghanistan, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and displacement, limits access to antenatal and postnatal care, worsening nutritional outcomes for women. The interruption of health services, combined with food insecurity, increases the likelihood of poor pregnancy outcomes, which can perpetuate cycles of malnutrition and health disparities (Sharma et al., 2021).

Malnutrition Among Children

Children under five are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which impairs their physical growth and cognitive development. The World Food Programme estimates that approximately 3.2 million children in Afghanistan suffer from acute malnutrition, with about one million at risk of death without immediate intervention (2021). Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) contributes to increased mortality rates, developmental delays, and susceptibility to infectious diseases (Rahmat et al., 2022).

Strategies such as micronutrient supplementation, therapeutic feeding, and the establishment of community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programs have proven effective in reducing mortality. The Scaling Up Movement's success in increasing treatment access illustrates the importance of expanding such interventions to reach more affected children (Rahmat et al., 2022).

Interventions and Policies Addressing Malnutrition

Evidence-based policies such as the 2003 National Reproductive Health Strategy have targeted maternal nutrition, emphasizing micronutrient supplementation and nutrition education at community and facility levels. Food fortification, supplementation programs, and conditional cash transfers have also played pivotal roles in improving household nutrition and birth outcomes (Kim et al., 2020).

Furthermore, addressing broader social determinants like poverty, food insecurity, limited education, and lack of access to clean water and sanitation (WASH) is essential. WASH programs focus on improving water quality, sanitation, and hygiene practices, which are crucial for reducing disease burden and improving nutritional status in low-income settings (Kim et al., 2019).

Challenges Facing Older Adults

Older adults like Farida and Yasif face health challenges compounded by malnutrition. Farida, suffering from depression, and Yasif, with vision problems and early-onset dementia, illustrate the intersection of nutritional deficiencies with mental and physical health issues common in aging populations (Al-Hajj et al., 2022). Malnutrition exacerbates age-related frailty, increases risk of injury from falls, and complicates chronic disease management.

In Afghanistan, older adults are at increased risk of injury, such as fractures, due to frailty and osteoporosis, especially when living in environments lacking adequate healthcare access (Al-Hajj et al., 2022). Mental health concerns are also prominent, with studies indicating high levels of depression, suicidal ideation, and attempts, fueled by social instability and displacement (Kovess-Masfety et al., 2021).

Strategies for Improving Nutrition and Health in Older Adults

Addressing the needs of older adults requires integrating nutrition into broader health policies, screening for malnutrition, and providing mental health support. Building age-sensitive health services and ensuring access to essential medicines can reduce morbidity and mortality (Al-Hajj et al., 2022). Community-based programs and social support networks are vital for mitigating social isolation and promoting mental well-being among the elderly.

Conclusions

Malnutrition remains a significant obstacle to health and development in Afghanistan, affecting all age groups differently. For women and children, nutritional deficiencies increase risks during pregnancy, impair growth, and elevate mortality rates. For older adults, malnutrition worsens age-related health issues and mental health conditions. Combating malnutrition requires multifaceted approaches—strengthening healthcare infrastructure, implementing targeted nutrition programs, addressing social determinants, and fostering community engagement. Recognizing the unique needs of each demographic ensures interventions are effective and equitable, paving the way for improved health outcomes across Afghanistan’s vulnerable populations.

References

• Fatima, M., Nosheen, F., Afzaal, M., Islam, F., Noreen, R., Imran, A., & Ali, Y. A. (2023). Nutritional and health status of Afghan refugee women living in Punjab: A cross-sectional study. Wiley Online Library.
• World Food Programme. (2021). Half of Afghanistan’s children under five expected to suffer from acute malnutrition as hunger takes root for millions. UN World Food Programme.
• Kim, C., Mansoor, G. F., Paya, P. M., Ludin, M. H., Mashal, M. O., & Todd, C. S. (2020). Review of policies, data, and interventions to improve maternal nutrition in Afghanistan. Maternal & child nutrition.
• Rahmat, Z. S., Rafi, H. M., Nadeem, A., Salman, Y., Nawaz, F. A., & Essar, M. Y. (2022). Child malnutrition in Afghanistan amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. Oxford Academic.
• Sharma, J., Ludin, H., Chauhan, M., & Zodpey, S. (2021). Public health nutrition in Afghanistan - policies, strategies, and capacity-building: current scenario and initiatives. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 27(7). https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.21.043
• Al-Hajj, S., Farran, S., Sibai, A. M., Hamadeh, R. R., Rahimi-Movaghar, V., Al-Raddadi, R. M., Sadeghian, F., Ghodsi, Z., Alhajyaseen, W., Rameileh, N. M., & Mokdad, A. H. (2022). Injury burden in individuals aged 50 years or older in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 3(4), e.
• Kovess-Masfety, V., Alonso, J., & Amaddeo, F. (2021). A national survey on depression and anxiety disorders in Afghanistan: A highly traumatized population. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 1-12.
• SNHU. (2022). Group Discussion: Health challenges across the lifespan. Southern New Hampshire University.