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Sierra Leone Health Survey

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SIERRA LEONE

Health Profile
The health status of the people of Sierra Leone is still among the worst in the world. Infant and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in the world. According to the Sierra Leone demographic health survey 2008, life expectancy is 47 years, infant mortality rate is 89 per 1000 live births, under-five mortality rate is 140 per 1000 live births and maternal mortality ratio is 857 per 100 000 births.Fertility rates are high due to low contraceptive prevalence rates.
The most recent United Nations Children’s Fund/WHO estimate for child mortality assumes considerable underreporting in the Sierra Leone demographic health survey 2008 and puts the under-five mortality rate figure at 192 per 1000 live births …show more content…

Malaria remains the most common cause of illness and death in the country, accounting for about 50% of outpatient visits and 38% of hospital admissions. Malaria accounts for about 41% of all hospital deaths among children aged under 5 years (see figure). Hypertension, diabetes and mental illnesses are increasing with drastic changes in lifestyle and drug abuse.

The greatest burden of disease is on rural populations, and on females within the rural population.
The greatest burden of disease is on rural populations, and on females within the rural population.
Underlying factors for the high burden of disease are:
• pervasive …show more content…

The Sierra Leone Health and Demographic Survey 2008 reported that 87% of pregnant women had attended antenatal care at least once, only 25% of births were institutional deliveries and 43% were supervised by skilled attendants.
This is a surprising result and can only be true if a significant number were attended at home by professionals. The health management information system cannot provide such data. However, approximately 73% of births occurred in rural areas and many of these institutional deliveries were attended by maternal and child health aides who lack the competencies to qualify as skilled attendants.
There was an increase in antenatal care visits immediately after the introduction of the Free Health Care Initiative in April 2010. However, there was a downward trend in antenatal care consultations in November and December

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