Mother's Working Conditions As A Social Determinant Of Infant Mortality Rate

The infant (children under one year) mortality rate (IMR) is an important measure of health condition of a country’s population and mother’s working conditions are assumed to have a notable influence on IMR. IMR is defined as the number of deaths of children under one year per thousand live births. For example, countries having low socioeconomic status are often have high IMR (3). But there are many other factors as well. This assignment will have focus on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) because currently, SSA has the most countries with higher infant mortality rates. Namely, Somalia, Central African Republic, and Nigeria have an IMR of 94. 8, 86. 3 and 69. 8 respectively (8).

The leading causes of Infant mortality are infections (lower respiratory tract, blood), preterm birth, organ dysfunction and diarrhea (7). Most of these causes are preventable with an improved environment for the child and awareness of hygiene related to childcare. Also, the environment where the mother works can be influential in the case of infant mortality (9). Working conditions are considered to be a social determinant of health as working population spends a substantial time of their day in the workplace and it can be cause for distinguished number of health-related problems (14, 15). Mother’s working condition is an umbrella term comprised of many factors like the type of work, intensity of work, transportation facilities, flexibility and duration of maternity leave, work-related stress etc. All these factors can affect the fetus as well as the infant because mothers are the main caregiver for the child in African context (9). Education, occupation, and Income are three measures of social positions to be considered in this circumstance I believe. I would argue that education will lead to a better occupation, thus will facilitate better income. These three elements will make access for better amenities in terms of maternal and child care. Evidence suggests that with higher education, mothers become more aware and concern about the child’s health. Also, they will be able to take better care of themselves during pregnancy. In SSA, 49 million girls are dropped out of schools and thus they do not have the proper education to at least be self-educated about reproductive health (10).

Henceforth, education will enlighten them, and with more education, they will be able to make wise and timely decisions for themselves as well as for their children. Better education, knowledge, and confidence will elevate their social position. Occupation is a direct measure of social position. Occupation can determine the status in the society and then with better status there will be better social treatment and respect. Also, in the context of maternal working conditions, higher positions in occupation will be more relaxed for availing own comfort within the working hours. On the other hand, hazardous working (working in factories or manual work or work in the chemically exposed environment) conditions are considered a symbol of low socioeconomic status (SES) and these situations also can give rise to the infant mortality rate. Income will facilitate a healthy, sound life and working condition. Better income will lead to better nutrition for the mothers during and after pregnancy and to better health care in sub-Saharan Africa where there are provisions for accessing private health professionals by spending own money. So, sufficient income will also help in having a healthy and improved lifestyle in terms of access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and healthier life. Diagram 1 is a visualization of how the three measures of social positions are associated and catalyzing the outcome and the determinant. Diagram 1 Social Determinant Measures of Social Position Public Health Issue Diagram 1: Illustrating the determinates and measures of social positions to the PH Issue The first advantage of using Education, occupation, and Income can proxy the empowerment of women, there lifestyle, awareness and decision making.

They are widely accepted measures of social status. Secondly, education reduces inequality (2, 16, 17). In the SSA countries, education can be the pathway for superior occupation and enhanced income. Also, it will earn a better social status. So education occupation and income can well poetry social position measurements in contrast to the described determinant and health outcome. On the other hand, access to education can be a barrier in the SSA. Participation in the education system is a precursor for education to be considered and then influence occupation and income. Different social structures have a different perception for educating their girls. So, this position is dependent on many other pre-schooling factors (10). Then there is a dilemma that better education or income or occupation will need more time outside the home. They will open up more opportunities. These might reduce the family time and young mothers might depend on others for taking care of their child in their first year of life (12). Lastly, social gradient in health can depend on these position measures (13) and they can shape up the health outcome because they all add to the working condition of mothers which will eventually contribute to the infant mortality rate in the region of SSA.