ASIA/AFGHANISTAN - One Afghan child in 10 dies before their fifth birthday

Kabul (Agenzia Fides) - Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. According to the national government's first Study, conducted on a sample of 22,351 families and distributed by the Pajhwok Agency, one in 10 children dies before the age of 5. The infant mortality rate, with the exception of the south, is 77 deaths per 1000 live births, those under 5 years of age is 97 per 1000 live births. Almost half, death results from respiratory infections or parasitic diseases, while another 30% is due to congenital problems. The study also shows that half of all deaths of women between 15 and 59 years of age are caused by non-infectious diseases, especially cardiovascular problems and cancer. One woman in 5 in this age group dies from causes related to childbirth. For Afghan men between 15 and 59 years of age, deaths are caused due to injuries such as accidents, falls, or as a result of the war.
Another important fact which was revealed in the study shows that in 2010 60% of women received prenatal medical care from doctors, nurses and midwives during their last pregnancy. While in 2003 only 14% of births were assisted by specialized medical personnel, in 2010 34% were assisted. The maternal mortality rate is 327 per 100 000 live births, a figure that shows an improvement attributable to prenatal care, care on behalf of medical personnel during delivery and the fact that in recent years the number of women who give birth in health centers has greatly increased. According to the World Health Organization, in 2008, the index was 1400 deaths per 100 000 live births. In the village bleeding is the leading cause of maternal deaths. About 40% occur during pregnancy, another 40% during delivery, and the remaining 20% in the two months following childbirth. The only positive note of this research is the rise in life expectancy of the Afghan population, up to 62 years for men and 64 for women, compared with 2009 data when the life expectancy was 44. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 03/12/2011)