MICS 2006 KEY FINDINGS on Child Health and Maternal Health Samuel Bosomprah Ministry of Health MICS Focal Point

Background

Why MICS in 2006? Baseline for next health strategy Progress made since last 2003 GDHS in service outputs and nutrition We were not expecting changes in mortality –Used MICS to confirm GDHS mortality figures

Sustained Investment In Nutrition Sustained Investment In Nutrition Fewer Child Malnutrition Fewer Child Death & Increased Intelligence Fewer Child Death & Increased Intelligence Stronger economy Key Message …A sustained investment in nutrition is highly likely to translate into stronger economy in the long-term because there would be intellectually productive adults

Adults who survive malnutrition as children are less physically and intellectually productive and suffer from high levels of chronic illness and disability UNICEF (Various years) Did you know?

Under-5 Mortality

Under-5 Mortality vs Background Xtics Looking toward the next 7 years: … which regions are likely to experience the greatest improvement? Looking toward the next 7 years: … which regions are likely to experience the greatest improvement?

Child mortality is an indicator of development!!! Unlikely to meet the MDGs at current pace On track?

Nutritional Status

Almost one in five children under age five in Ghana is underweight (18 percent); Nearly a quarter of children (22 percent) are stunted or too short for their age; and 5 percent are wasted or too thin for their height. How many Ghanaian children are malnourished today?

Malnourishment peaks at age months; could be attributed to poor feeding practices that lead to inadequate food intake. Expected…weaning period … exposed to contamination in water, food, and the environment Malnourishment vs Age

Even at the earliest ages, many children are receiving liquids or foods other than breast milk. By the end of the sixth month, the percentage of children exclusively breastfed is below 12 percent. Infant Feeding Patterns by Age

Inequities in underweight prevalence Large urban-rural inequities exists Large urban-rural inequities exists large regional inequities exits National Average

Progress on Malnutrition towards the MDGs Ghana Is On Track Consolidate gains Are we on Track?

Child Health

Immunisation

Malaria

Reproductive Health

Skilled Supervised Delivery

Policy Recommendations Accelerate the Regenerative Health and Nutrition Programme More inter-sectoral Action – Poverty reduction, Nutrition, Education, Water, Sanitation, Roads, and Housing More inter-sectoral Action – Poverty reduction, Nutrition, Education, Water, Sanitation, Roads, and Housing Targeted actions at regions pulling down the country and urban poor Scale-up HIRD

Thanks