02. Leading causes of mortality in low-income countries Flashcards
Global Health and Aid
What are the leading 3 causes of mortality in low income countries?
- communicable diseases
- malnutrition
- prenatal and maternal causes
Malnutrition
When a persons diet does not provide enough nutrients or the right balance of nutrients for optimal health.
Communicable diseases
Caused by infectious agents and can be passed from one person or animal to another.
Communicable diseases direct transmission
Through contact with bodily discharge
Communicable diseases indirect transmission
Through surfaces or airborne e.g. sharing a drinking glass
Communicable diseases by means of vectors
Carried by insect/animal e.g. mosquitoes
Examples of communicable diseases
- coronavirus
- malaria
- influenza
- cholera
- measles
Prenatal mortality
Deaths that occur to babies - often pre-term babies i.e. still in the womb, still birth.
Impact of child marriage
- Increased risk of domestic violence
- Less likely to remain in school
- Teenage pregnancy
- Increased isolation from family and friends
What are the 3 leading causes of mortality in high income countries?
- Cardiovascular disease - coronary heart disease and stroke
- Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
- Cancer
State a condition that occurs when a persons diet does not provide enough nutrients or the right balance of nutrients for optimal health
Malnutrition
State the umbrella term for a type of disease caused by infectious agents and can be passed from one person or animal to another
Communicable diseases
Contact with bodily discharge is a form of which type of transmission of a communicable disease?
direct transmission
By sharing a drinking glass is an example of which type of transmission of a communicable disease?
indirect transmission
Carried by a something such as mosquitoes is an example of which type of transmission of a communicable disease?
by means of vectors
Coronavirus, malaria, influenza, cholera, diarrhoea are examples of what types of disease?
Communicable diseases
Name the health status indicator that measures deaths to mothers during pregnancy or childbirth
Maternal mortality rate
How can malnutrition increase communicable disease transmission?
lowers immune system functioning = increasing risk of contracting communicable diseases e.g. COVID, influenza, measles, cholera
What are the symptoms of cholera?
- abdomen pain
- nausea
- watery diarrhoea
- vomiting.
What is cholera?
An acute diarrhoeal illness caused by infection of the intestine with a specific bacteria.
How do you get cholera?
Caused by swallowing food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria – “waterborne disease”
What are the symptoms of malaria?
- fever
- chills
- headache
- fatigue
- confusion
- seizures
- difficulty breathing
What is malaria?
A life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female mosquitoes.
What are the symptoms of measles?
- fever
- cough
- red eyes
- red, blotchy rash
What impact does measles have on the body?
Can lead to serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
How can measles be prevented?
- Vaccinations
- Washing Hands
- Coughing/Sneezing into elbow
Define Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
The number of mothers who die as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or associated treatment (within 6 weeks of delivery) per 100, 000 women who give birth.
