Ethiopia and Rwanda: Wellbeing, Development, and Maternal Health

A set of Q&A flashcards covering key facts about Ethiopia and Rwanda from the notes, focusing on wellbeing, development, and maternal health initiatives.

What is Ethiopia’s population as noted in the notes?

Approximately 132 million

What is the capital city of Ethiopia?

Addis Ababa

What is the location and terrain of Ethiopia like

Ethiopia is a landlocked country on the horn of Africa. It’s terrain is rugged with high plateaus and mountains

What is Ethiopia’s GDP per capita?

1272 USD

What sector heavily dominates Ethiopia’s economy?

Agriculture (40.5% of GDP, 81% of exports, 85% of the labour force)

What major historical famine hit Ethiopia, causing widespread deaths?

Great Famine of 1984-85, about half a million people died

What percentage of Ethiopia’s population depends on agriculture for a living?

80%

What environmental factor exacerbates Ethiopia’s food insecurity?

Drought and related issues (climate) and inability to afford fertiliser/equipment

What is the urban population share in Ethiopia?

16.7%

What is the approximate percentage of Ethiopians with access to clean water, and so how does this impact its health outcomes?

42%

Describe the typical rural housing conditions in Ethiopia as given in the notes.

Thatched huts, wood or mud houses without sanitation

What is the average daily caloric intake in Ethiopia mentioned in the notes?

2290 calories (about half of Australia’s intake)

What health challenges accompany Ethiopia’s development context?

Malnutrition, waterborne diseases (tuberculosis, cholera), and inaccessible education

What is the life expectancy for Ethiopian males and females mentioned?

Male: 66 years Female: 70 years

How many doctors per 100,000 people are there in Ethiopia?

11 doctors per 100,000 people

What is maternal health?

Maternal health encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, pregnancy and postnatal care to ensure a positive and fulfilling experience.

How many maternal health related deaths do obstetric complications account for in Ethiopia

85%

What are long term conditions from maternal health which lowers quality of life for women in Ethiopia

Fistula, chronic pelvic pain, depression, exhaustion

What are obstetric fistulas and what does it result in

A obstetric fistula is a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum which is caused by an obstructed labour due to a small pelvis or malposition pf the baby within the uterus. It results in incontinence and other severe physical and social consequences for affected women.

What wellbeing and development challenges cause obstetric fistulas

Geography, poverty, health systems, funding. Mountainous terrain and isolation restricts rurality to access facilities; poverty leads to malnutrition and stunted growth and underdevelopment of the pelvis which likens chances for obstructed labour; inadequate health systems lack trained health workers who can treat fistulas; lack of funding limit fistula hospitals who rely on donations

What are the social consequences of women in Ethiopia living with obstetric fistulas

Faces humiliation from the inability to remain clean from uncontrollable bodily fluids, their inability to bear more children causes ostracisation from families and communities

What are the economic consequences of women in Ethiopia living with obstetric fistulas

Loses financial dependence from losing employment due to social stigmas and inability to physically work. Medically expenses compound poverty.

What is the aim of the Catherine Hamlin Foundation?

To eradicate obstetric fistulas in Ethiopia, repair injuries, and restore health and dignity who suffered childbirth injuries

What is the Hamlin Model of Care intended to do?

Support women through physical repair, physiotherapy, nutrition, mental support, literacy classes, vocational skills, empowerment, and training midwives

What is Desta Mender in the Hamlin program?

A rehabilitation centre for long-term patients to regain physical and mental health

Assess the effectiveness of the Hamlin Foundation

The foundation has since opened 48 rural clinics, 6 hospitals, and a rehabilitation centre with 55000 women treated. In 2017, 22 500 babies were delivered in 48 clinics without a single fistula. Thus, as obstetric issues in Ethiopia have drastically improved, this is a very sustainable and effective solution.

What are the stated benefits of partnerships between groups and governments in the context of maternal health?

Increased funding/resources, greater reach/impact, long-term sustainability, and public trust

In Rwanda, what is the capital city?

Kigali

What is the population in Rwanda?

14.26 million

What is Rwanda’s population (approximately) and GDP per capita?

Population about 14.26 million; GDP per capita about 999 USD

Describe the location and terrain of Rwanda and explain how this affects the nation’s rurality

Rwanda is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, with mountainous and undulating terrain and volcanic uplands. This limits the accessibility of public facilities for rural populations who rely on these services but face challenges due to the difficult geography.

What sector dominates Rwanda’s economy after service sector growth?

Service sector (46% of GDP) while agriculture accounts for 24%

What are Rwanda’s figures for urban population and access to water and sanitation?

Urban population ~18%; 57% have safe drinking water within 30 minutes; 64% have basic sanitation

Which historic events shaped Rwanda’s development post-1994?

Civil war and the 1994 genocide

What is Rwanda’s urban population

18%

What is Rwanda’s literacy status by gender and the status of primary education?

Literacy: Male 81%, Female 77%; nearly universal primary education at 98% with gender parity; 9 years mandatory education

What are Rwanda’s life expectancy figures for males and females?

Male 68 years; Female 71 years

How much of Rwanda’s population suffers from chronic malnutrition and why

33% of children under 5 suffer from stunting. This is due to poor maternal nutrition, repeated infection resulting in diarrhea and inadequate medical care

Describe Rwanda’s education system

The literacy rate for males is 81% while it is 77% for females. Rwanda has achieved near-universal access to primary education of 98%, due to policies which provide 9 years of mandatory free education and school feeding programs. However, the education system struggles to adapt to the influx of students due to the strain on resources, classroom and teachers.

What are Rwanda’s child mortalityrates?

Under-5 mortality: 38 per 1,000 live births

What is the rate of doctors per 100,000 people in Rwanda?

10 doctors per 100,000 people

What are Rwanda’s maternal and neonatal health challenges?

High maternal mortality from preventable causes (postpartum haemorrhage, sepsis, eclampsia); delays in seeking/reaching care; missed antenatal/postnatal care; rural health system strain

What is sepsis, describe its cause,

Sepsis is the largest direct cause of maternal deaths in Rwanda, accounting for 50%. It is a severe body-wide response to infection that causes organ failure and death. It is caused by malaria or other bacterial infections and is likened by factors such as preterm birth, low birth weight and poor access to antenatal care.

Describe the social and economic consequence of sepsis

Socially, women experience stigma and isolation as sepsis can lead to infertility which induces shame and reduced social status in communities where motherhood is highly valued. Economically, chronic complications reduces a woman’s ability to be economically dependent.

What is RapidSMS and its aim in Rwanda’s maternal health program?

A system to facilitate communication between community health workers, ambulances, health facilities, and the central government to reduce maternal and newborn mortality

How does RapidSMS operate (methods)?

CHWs register pregnancies and track ANC via mobile phones; SMS danger-sign alerts; reminders for ANC/delivery/postnatal care; data flow to a national system

Assess the effectiveness of RapidSMS in Rwanda

RapidSMS has been effective in improving facility deliveries, postnatal visits and related indicators as between 2012 and 2016, 9.4 million SMS messages provided information for over 2.5 million mothers. However, these benefits occured only when broader investments were embedded to support training and resources. Thus, RapidSMS is necessary but not sufficient on its own to impact the scope of maternal health in Rwanda.