No matter the continent or the community, health is a chief concern for most people. In Sierra Leone and much of Sub-Saharan Africa, rural communities are geographically and economically alienated from the medical resources they need. UTIs and preeclampsia are health issues that significantly impact day-to-day life for pregnant women, and can lead to serious lifelong consequences and even death for expecting mothers and their children due to inaccessibility of proper medical care.
Area of focus: Sierra Leone
- Highest maternal morality rate in the world
- The 5th highest infant mortality rate in the world
Barriers to healthcare access
Several factors hinder people’s ability to get healthcare in the developing world:
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Transportation to healthcare facilities is expensive
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Existing screening methods are unaffordable
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Results require the help of a trained medical professional to interpret
Urinary Tract infections (UTI)
Urinary Tract Infections are the second most common type of infection in the world, and 50% of women will contract one in their lifetime. Complications of UTIs can cause serious health problems including:
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Kidney infections
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Kidney damage
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Premature birth
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Low birth weight
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a type of birth complications that often leads to preterm delivery. It is one of the most common conditions that leads to maternal mortality in the developing world. The progression of preeclampsia can lead to serious life-threatening complications such as:
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Eclampsia
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HELLP syndrome
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Fetal growth restriction
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Placental abruption