Early years
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© UNICEF Uzbekistan 2005 |
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Happy mother and father at the birth of their child in Fergana Valley, 2005. |
The early years of a child’s life are crucial, being the basis for future health and development. In Uzbekistan, many thousands of children under the age of 5 die needlessly and many more suffer irreversible problems in their growth, as a result of diseases and malnutrition.
• The official rate of Infant mortality, although decreasing, is high compared to most former Soviet Union (FSU) countries and would be higher still if internationally accepted definitions of live births were used and all child deaths were reported.
• Most infant deaths occur during the neo-natal period, resulting from respiratory diseases, with diarrhoeal diseases also accounting for a significant proportion.
• Child health is under threat from malnutrition, reflecting the mother’s health status, together with child feeding habits and nutrition. 31% of children under 5 are chronically malnourished (source: Uzbekistan CCA 2003) and suffering from serious nutritional deficiencies, including:
- Iodine deficiency, which affects 61% of children under 3 years of age (source: MICS 2000 and Institute of Endocrinology).
- Iron-deficiency anaemia which also affects more than 60% of children under 3 (source: Uzbekistan CCA 2003)
- Vitamin A deficiency which affects 9% of children severely, 45% moderately and 37% mildly (source: DHS 2002).
- 10% of children under 5 years of age are moderately-severely or severely underweight; 7% suffering from moderate-severe wasting; and 21% moderate-severe stunting (source: SOWC 2005).
• Only 19% of babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months (source: SOWC 2005).
• Children in their early years need to play and to interact with other children, in order to develop their curiosity and experience. Physical and mental stimulation is vital in developing skills in language, thinking and organizing. However, many Uzbek children in their early years are likely to spend their days at home. A dramatic reduction in pre-school enrolment occurred between 1991 and 2004 and now less than 20% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 attend (source: Social Monitor 2004).
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© UNICEF Uzbekistan 2005 |
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Child receiving vitamin A supplementation in Andijan, 2004 |
However, despite the impact on health experienced as a result of economic transition, progress is being made for children:
• 96% of births will be attended by skilled birth personnel (source: UNICEF MICS 2000);
• Many children now have the opportunity of being born in a Baby Friendly Hospital;
• Introduction of the WHO Live Birth definition has been successfully piloted in the Fergana region, with the potential for imminent introduction nationwide;
• Every child is registered at birth;
• Immunization coverage for under-2s against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and measles, polio and tuberculosis is 98% or over (source: SOWC 2005);
• Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was sustained at over 90% (source: SOWC 2005);
• Uzbekistan is certified as polio free;
• Vitamin A, iron and iodine supplementation now reaches much of the population in need. Vitamin A supplementation for ages 6-59 months reached 79% in 2002 (source SOWC 2005) and progress had been made in the iodization of salt, with the percentage of households using it rising from 19% in 2001 (source: SOWC 2005) to 55% (source: UNICEF survey in 2003);
• A new health policy on safe motherhood has been implemented, with significant improvements in the quality of antenatal, peri-natal and neonatal care;
• Makhalla Kindergartens, unique to Uzbekistan enable previously excluded children to attend pre-school and parents to improve their parental knowledge and skills;
• Family Education improves family members’ skills in breastfeeding, nutrition, growth monitoring, vaccinations and identification of illnesses.
