In South Africa, 310 pregnant women out of every 100 000 die annually as a result of poor care during pregnancy. This is one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world. But these deaths can be avoided.
Seven out of every ten sex workers have been abused by police officials. A survey done by the Women'€™s Legal Centre, shows that sex workers report having been threatened with arrest or forced to sleep with police officials in exchange for their freedom.
Seventy-five percent of South African women will suffer from vaginal thrush, at least, once in their lifetime. And while the condition may not always be preventable, it is manageable with the correct treatment.
In South Africa about 4 300 women die due to complications related to pregnancy and child birth. About 20 000 infants are still-born and a further 23 000 die in the first month of life. In addition 75 000 children never live to reach the age of five. What are the causes for this?
Babies born to mothers in sub-Saharan who are overweight or obese are significantly more likely to die in the first two days after their birth, according to new research.
: Great progress has been made in reducing early mother to child transmission of HIV in the country. A study by the Medical Research Council (MRC) shows that the national HIV mother to child transmission rate was approximately two point seven percent in 2011.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says it'€™s time that the country focuses on family planning programmes to reduce the scourge of maternal and child mortality. The minister was speaking at the opening of a new health facility whose primary purpose is child and maternal health.
Researchers have identified various successful and promising interventions from around the world that could be used to improve opportunities for regular physical activity and encourage more people to be physically active.
An international team of researchers examined the current understanding of why some people are more physically active than others.
With maternal health being one of the priority areas for health improvement, it'€™s important for primary health care facilities to improve care for pregnant mothers. The Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre in Fourways, north of Johannesburg, says it'€™s trying to improve on these health indicators.
The lack of proper sanitation, poor access to health services, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS are all contributing factors to early childhood deaths. Maternal deaths are also increasing, mainly due to HIV infection. This is according to studies done by the United Nations Children'€™s Fund (UNICEF).
There is something upsetting about the way politicians trouped to the scene and family of the young woman whose gang rape shocked our country so profoundly several weeks ago. The hyperbole, crocodile tears and feet stamping felt more like politicians who feel duty bound to be seen to respond to a tragedy than genuine grief. It is hard to feel sympathy with their sympathy because in the management of their political portfolios many councillors, MPs and Ministers overlook the circumstances that place young girls at daily risk.
Almost 5 000 women died while pregnant or within 42 days of giving birth in South Africa between 2008 and 2010, more than in any of the previous years.
As many young women are now developing cervical cancer and more are at risk of cancer of the cervix because of HIV infection, new and simpler methods of diagnosis are needed. Now, scientists have discovered that vinegar is useful in diagnosing cervical cancer.
Having survived cervical cancer Emily Monchojana now spends her time educating women in her community about the importance of looking after the health of their cervix to help protect them from the cancer. Ayanda Mkhwanazi of Health-e News Service, caught up with her during one of these educational sessions.
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