South Africa Strives to Curb Prematurity Rates

South Africa is working hard to reduce its 15% rate of premature births, advocating for consistent and early antenatal care for expectant mothers. Initiatives such as MomConnect and the Side-by-Side radio campaign promote health for both mothers and their infants, while guidelines are in place for managing conditions such as hypertension and infections. South Africa has also committed to safeguarding children with vaccinations and exclusive breastfeeding for at least 24 months. It is part of a larger plan targeted at lowering the mortality rate for children under five.

South Africa’s Department of Health advocates for consistent and early antenatal care for expectant mothers to reduce the rate of premature births, which currently stands at 15% of births resulting in an estimated 84,000 preterm newborns annually. Initiatives such as MomConnect and the Side-by-Side radio campaign aim to promote health for both mothers and their infants, while guidelines on managing conditions such as hypertension and infections are also in place. South Africa has also committed to safeguarding children with vaccinations and exclusive breastfeeding for at least 24 months.

Embracing World Prematurity Awareness Month

November is known globally as World Prematurity Awareness Month, an important campaign spotlighting premature birth—a prevailing issue affecting millions around the world. Notably, the Department of Health in South Africa not only acknowledges this initiative but is also an active participant. They highlight the necessity of prenatal care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for pregnant women.

Premature birth, defined as the birth of a child before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is a serious matter. It is officially acknowledged as the primary cause of mortality in children under five years old. The global statistics are alarming, with one in 10 children, or roughly 15 million, being born prematurely each year. The situation in South Africa is even more concerning, with 15% of births, or one in seven babies, being preterm, resulting in an estimated 84,000 preterm newborns annually.

The Urgency of Addressing Premature Births

Babies born prematurely face significant risks. These infants have increased mortality rates and are susceptible to numerous complications such as respiratory, neurological, and eye disorders compared to full-term infants. These alarming statistics highlight the urgency of preventive measures and the need for suitable healthcare interventions.

In South Africa, the Department of Health has taken a proactive stance, advocating for consistent and early antenatal care for expectant mothers. Regular antenatal visits allow healthcare professionals to track the health of the mother and her unborn baby, thus, any potential complications such as pre-eclampsia, urinary tract infections, and gestational diabetes can be detected early. If these conditions are left unaddressed, they can lead to preterm labor.

South Africa remains resilient despite these daunting statistics. Positioned 24th among 184 nations with high newborn mortality due to premature birth complications, South Africa has allocated resources toward strategic programs and interventions to manage these issues and reduce avoidable deaths. This initiative is part of a larger plan targeted at lowering the mortality rate for children under five.

Initiatives and Progress Towards Reducing Prematurity

Prominent among these initiatives is MomConnect—a mobile technology platform boasting over 4.5 million users. MomConnect offers support to expectant mothers through health promotion messages translated into various languages, thus enhancing the health of both mothers and their infants. Additionally, an Early Childhood Development radio campaign known as Side-by-Side reaches an estimated 5.7 million listeners weekly, promoting the importance of early healthcare interventions.

The Department of Health has also made efforts to implement the recommendations specified in the Saving Mothers and Babies Reports. This includes guidelines on managing conditions such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and infections, as well as managing preterm delivery for the mother and baby.

South Africa has further committed to safeguarding children against diseases preventable by vaccination and enhancing Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) services. A significant step forward has been declaring exclusive breastfeeding for all mothers, including those with HIV, which is advised for the first six months and continued for at least 24 months.

Despite the significant reduction in under-five mortality rates from 74.7 per 1000 live births in 2002 to 30.7 per 1000 live births in 2022, and the decline of infant mortality from 55.2 per 1000 live births in 2002 to 24.3, there is still much work to be done. The Department of Health is amplifying sexual reproductive health education to improve access to effective contraception methods. This effort aims to reduce unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and reproductive health complications, particularly among young women.

In a demonstration of South Africa’s commitment to addressing premature births, the Department of Health hosted a hybrid event on World Prematurity Awareness Day. This collaborative event with various stakeholders in the health sector emphasized the importance of full-term pregnancies and healthy newborns as a means to eradicate preventable preterm births.

While South Africa continues to make progress in addressing premature birth, the journey is far from over. As we mark World Prematurity Awareness Month, it serves as a summons to all—governments, healthcare institutions, communities, and individuals—to pledge to do more in protecting our most vulnerable population—our children.

1. What is South Africa doing to reduce premature birth rates?

South Africa is advocating for consistent and early antenatal care for expectant mothers and has implemented initiatives such as MomConnect and the Side-by-Side radio campaign to promote health for both mothers and infants. Guidelines are also in place for managing conditions such as hypertension and infections, and South Africa has committed to safeguarding children with vaccinations and exclusive breastfeeding for at least 24 months.

2. What is World Prematurity Awareness Month?

World Prematurity Awareness Month is a global campaign held in November to raise awareness about premature birth, a serious issue affecting millions of children worldwide. South Africa is an active participant in this campaign and emphasizes the importance of prenatal care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for pregnant women.

3. What are the risks associated with premature birth?

Infants born prematurely face increased mortality rates and are susceptible to numerous complications such as respiratory, neurological, and eye disorders compared to full-term infants.

4. What initiatives has South Africa implemented to reduce premature births?

South Africa has implemented several initiatives to reduce premature births, including MomConnect, a mobile technology platform offering support to expectant mothers, and the Side-by-Side radio campaign promoting early healthcare interventions. Guidelines are also in place for managing conditions such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and infections, and South Africa has committed to safeguarding children with vaccinations and exclusive breastfeeding for at least 24 months.

5. Has South Africa made progress in reducing under-five mortality rates?

Yes, South Africa has made significant progress in reducing under-five mortality rates, from 74.7 per 1000 live births in 2002 to 30.7 per 1000 live births in 2022. Infant mortality has also declined from 55.2 per 1000 live births in 2002 to 24.3.

6. What is South Africa doing to improve access to effective contraception methods?

The Department of Health in South Africa is amplifying sexual reproductive health education to improve access to effective contraception methods. This effort aims to reduce unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and reproductive health complications, particularly among young women.