Research findings: ‘Sociocultural factors may contribute to anaemia’
Dean of agriculture university, sociologist have put together report
Dean of agriculture university, sociologist have put together report. PHOTO: ONLINE
FAISALABAD:
Sociocultural factors cause anaemia in women, affecting them and their children in rural areas of Faisalabad. This has been said in a report by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar and a sociologist, Zahira Batool.
Anaemia is a medical condition in which somebody has too few red cells in their blood. While giving details of the study, Zafar told The Express Tribune that in developing countries like Pakistan, anaemia in mothers transfers to their newborn children.
However, the study indicated, cultural values that are biased towards women, violence against them, smoking and breastfeeding develop symptoms of anaemia in women. It has been found that women are often discouraged from visiting health care centres during pregnancy.
Moreover, smoking tobacco is common among men and women in rural areas of the district. The study has found that if women directly or passively inhale the smoke it decreases their haemoglobin level, thereby doing the same to children less than five years of age.
Besides, violence against women, which is widespread in the country, puts them at a greater risk of mental and physical disorders. The report stated that battered women had a high incidence of stress, stress-related illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, depression, sleeping, disturbed eating pattern, elevated blood pressure, drug abuse and low self-esteem.
Surroundings matter
Factors such as age when a woman is married and number of pregnancies she goes through also affect the blood production.
The study also discourages deliveries at home, stating even if they are done should be carried out by trained persons who make sure that sterlised equipment is used.
However, in cases where the condition of woman is critical, there should be a transport system so that she may be taken to a health care facility for proper treatment, provided they have proper equipment – the government should keep a check of basic health units so that patients do not face trouble at the eleventh hour.
Sociologists have asked the government to provide 24-hour services in basic health units for birth deliveries. In order to utilise the facility provided by government, children should be registered without having a birth certificate issued by basic health units or hospitals. Laws should be structured to ensure registration.
But in order to cure anaemia before childbirth, the government should ensure the provision of free multivitamins to women in the rural areas of Faisalabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2016.
Sociocultural factors cause anaemia in women, affecting them and their children in rural areas of Faisalabad. This has been said in a report by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar and a sociologist, Zahira Batool.
Anaemia is a medical condition in which somebody has too few red cells in their blood. While giving details of the study, Zafar told The Express Tribune that in developing countries like Pakistan, anaemia in mothers transfers to their newborn children.
However, the study indicated, cultural values that are biased towards women, violence against them, smoking and breastfeeding develop symptoms of anaemia in women. It has been found that women are often discouraged from visiting health care centres during pregnancy.
Moreover, smoking tobacco is common among men and women in rural areas of the district. The study has found that if women directly or passively inhale the smoke it decreases their haemoglobin level, thereby doing the same to children less than five years of age.
Besides, violence against women, which is widespread in the country, puts them at a greater risk of mental and physical disorders. The report stated that battered women had a high incidence of stress, stress-related illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, depression, sleeping, disturbed eating pattern, elevated blood pressure, drug abuse and low self-esteem.
Surroundings matter
Factors such as age when a woman is married and number of pregnancies she goes through also affect the blood production.
The study also discourages deliveries at home, stating even if they are done should be carried out by trained persons who make sure that sterlised equipment is used.
However, in cases where the condition of woman is critical, there should be a transport system so that she may be taken to a health care facility for proper treatment, provided they have proper equipment – the government should keep a check of basic health units so that patients do not face trouble at the eleventh hour.
Sociologists have asked the government to provide 24-hour services in basic health units for birth deliveries. In order to utilise the facility provided by government, children should be registered without having a birth certificate issued by basic health units or hospitals. Laws should be structured to ensure registration.
But in order to cure anaemia before childbirth, the government should ensure the provision of free multivitamins to women in the rural areas of Faisalabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2016.