Child Malnutrition in Africa At least 1 in 3 children under-five in Africa were stunted in Approaches to prevent stunting Interventions should focus on the critical 1, days window including pregnancy and before a child turns two and include: 28 Improving women s nutrition, especially before, during and after pregnancy. Stunting hampers cognitive development of young children which undermines learning ability later in life. The effects of stunting are irreversible. 38 Early and exclusive breastfeeding. 42 Timely, safe, appropriate and high-quality complementary food. Appropriate micronutrients interventions. 36 Infectious diseases, such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, etc. are important determinants of stunting. Stunting prevalence () 35 or more Access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and practicing appropriate hygiene behavior greatly reduces the risk of some of these infectious diseases. Proportion of children aged -59 months who are below minus two standard deviations from median height-for-age of the WHO Child Growth Standard. Data range : 7- Five countries in Africa have more than 5 percent severe wasting In Africa, boys are more likely to be stunted than girls Ratio of stunting (girls to boys) among children under-five years, countries in Africa, data range 7- Children aged -59 months who are below minus three standard deviations from median weight for-height of the WHO standard reference population, African countries South Sudan Nigeria Chad Mali Sudan 1.2 Year severely wasted 1 1 8 7 1 6 6 6.8 1 5.7 Girls are more stunted than boys 1.1 Parity 1..9 Boys are more stunted than girls Significant progress in exclusive breastfeeding in many African countries Trends in of infants (<6 months) who are exclusively breastfed, around 1995 and children exclusively breastfed (<6 months), around 1995 and around 1 83 85 Total ~ 1995(Around 1995) ~ (Around ) Total 69 6 34 32 27 37 35 34 24 1 5 48 41 3 72 48 51 61 54 52 62 44 19 3 4 3 Nigeria ('9,'8) Niger ('92,'1) Sierra Leone (','1) Central African Republic ('95,'1) Liberia ('99,'1) Democratic Mozambique Republic of ('97,') the Congo ('95,'1) Guinea ('99,'8) Source for all charts: UNICEF global databases, based on DHS, MICS, and other national surveys 7- United Madagascar Republic of ('97,'9) Tanzania ('96,'1) Ethiopia (',') Zambia ('96,'7) Burundi (','1) Malawi (','1) Rwanda ('92,'1)
HIV/AIDS and Malaria in Africa An estimated 3.1 million children under 15 years were living with HIV in Africa as of ; about 1 per cent of which were newly infected, mainly through mother-to-child transmission of HIV Coverage of Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) coverage ; African regions, () 8 38 52 58 Coverage of the most effective ARVs for PMTCT 15 AFRICA 21 Pediatric ART coverage 27 Key facts: Although progress has been made in Africa to increase the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS and increasing pediatric anti-retroviral therapy (ART) coverage, much more progress is needed. In, around 3, children were newly infected with HIV in Africa. Across Africa, about 3 of all under-five deaths are caused by HIV/AIDS, and in, an estimated of underfive deaths are attributed to HIV/AIDS. Although some progress has been made, ARV coverage for PMTCT varied from 8 in North Africa to in in. Source: WHO/UNICEF/UNAIDS, Towards the Elimination of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV and Keeping Their Mothers Alive: Abbreviated Progress Report 12, preliminary report. Major progress during the last decade in the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) among children During the last decade, the proportion of children sleeping under ITNs in sub-saharan Africa increased from less than 5 per cent to over a third (37). Countries in Africa are focused on increasing coverage for ITN use among children in the most equitable manner: mass campaigns which strive for universal coverage to ensure that everyone is reached. Children under-five sleeping under ITNs in Africa, and 12 Malaria case management in endemic countries The use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) to confirm malaria infection before starting treatment is still low In most endemic countries, less than 5 of febrile children under-five who receive antimalarials are treated with artemisininbased combination therapy (ACT). Source: UNICEF global databases, based on DHS, MICS, and other national surveys as of May
Birth registration, child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Percentage The birth of less than half of children in Eastern and has been registered Percentage of children under five who are registered 44 53 54 87 More than 125 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM/C in countries across Africa and the Middle East. Another 3 million girls are at risk of being cut in the next decade. In, 1 in 2 young women were married or in union before age 18; nearly 1 in 5 of whom were married or in union before age 15 Number of women -24 years old who were first married or in union before age 18, by sub-region Percentage of women -24 years old who were first married or in union before ages 15 and 18, by region 2.3 mn 2.2 mn 456, 442, 3 18 15 1 7 27 258, World 23 Married or in union before age 15 Married or in union between ages 15 and 18 In almost all countries, prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting is greater than support for continuing the practice Percentage of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have undergone FGM/C and percentage of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have heard about FGM/C and think the practice should continue 1 6 girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have undergone FGM/C girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have heard about FGM/C and think the practice should continue Source for all charts: UNICEF global databases, based on DHS, MICS, and other national surveys 2-
Education in Africa In Africa, boys are more likely to be enrolled in primary school than girls Gender parity index of Net Enrolment Rate, African countries 1.2 Girls are more likely to be enrolled 1.1 Parity 1.9 Boys are more likely to be enrolled.8.7 3 million of the world s out-of school children live in Africa Primary school age Out-of-School children, by sex, sub-saharan Africa, Key facts: Over half of the world s out-of-school children (3 million) live in Africa. Girls are more likely to be out of school than boys. Children with disabilities are over-represented in the out-of-school population. Progress in reducing the out-of-school children population has slowed down since 5. Many children fail to complete the full primary circle and fail to master basic literacy and numeracy skills. Primary school enrolment in lags behind the other African regions Primary Net Enrolment Rates by sub-regions 1999 and 1 1 1999 96 87 1 91 89 87 64 6 16 million girls million boys Out-of-School Out-of-School (54) (46) 56 53 45 Only 5 out of 53 African countries have reached Universal Primary Education Net enrolment/attendance rate, 1 South Africa Even if they progress through the grades, many primary school children do not acquire basic knowledge and skills of cohort who reach grade 4 and achieve a minimal education level 1 SACMEQ, 7 PASEC, 4-8 6 Net enrolment/ attendance rate, 1 <7 7 84 85 94 95 1 Missing value Sources: UNICEF global databases, and UNESCO Institute of Statistics databases, Did not reach grade 4 Reached grade 4 Reached grade 4 and achieved minimum level of learning Note: The definition of minimum learning levels differs between the two surveys, the Southern and Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ) and the Programme of Analysis of Education Systems of the CONFEMEN (PASEC) and thus the results are not comparable. Source: EFA Global Monitoring Report 12
Estimated deaths Child Mortality in Africa All regions in Africa have experienced marked declines in under-five mortality since 199 In Africa, mortality rates among children under-five years of age (U5MR) have decreased by 45 per cent from 162 deaths per 1, live births in 199, to 9 in 12, but still half of the world's 6.6 million under-five deaths occur in Africa. Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1, live births) and number of under five deaths by sub-region, 12 Half of the world's 6.6 million under-five deaths are in Africa Under-five mortality rate, 199 & 12 1,386, 187, 197, 1,6, 35 89 86 83 1 1 7 155 172 6 199 12 Under-five mortality rate 428, Africa World 48 9 9 162 5 1 15 25 Under-five deaths per 1, live births Pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea account for of all under-five deaths in Africa Distribution of under-five deaths in Africa by cause, 12 Close to 6, measles deaths averted by vaccination in sub-saharan Africa, since Measles coverage and deaths averted Pneumonia (postneonatal) Other 19 All Other 22 Pneumonia 17 Neonatal 34 Pneumonia (neonatal) 3 Preterm birth complications 12 Birth asphyxia 9 Sepsis/meningitis/tet anus 6 7, 6, 5,, Estimated measles deaths Immunization (MCV4) coverage Sub-Saharan Africa Estimated measles deaths in absence of vaccination 75 7 65 Measles 1 Meningitis 2 Injury 4 AIDS 3 Malaria Diarrhoea 1 Malaria Congenital abnormalities 2 Other neonatal 1 Diarrhoea (neonatal) 1 Diarrhoea (postneonatal) 1 3,, 1, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 6 55 5 Globally, almost half of the under-five deaths are attributable to malnutrition Source: UNICEF analysis based on IGME and WHO & CHERG Source : Adapted from Simons et al. (Assessment of the 1 global measles mortality reduction goal: results from a model of surveillance data. Lancet 12;379:2173-78) with updated measles mortality data through obtained from Dr Robert Perry, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Children in Africa Key statistics on child survival, protection and development Population (in millions) Every Child Counts Africa still has the highest under-five mortality rates in the world and half of the world's 6.6 million under-five deaths are in Africa. Pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea account for of all under-five deaths in Africa. At least 1 in 3 children under-five in Africa were stunted in. Africa accounts for about 6 per cent of all maternal deaths in the world. In, there were an estimated 3.1 million children under 15 years living with HIV in Africa. In 1, there were 219 million malaria cases in Africa leading to approximately 66, malaria deaths. Less than half of children under-five in Eastern and Western Africa have been registered at birth. 236 million people in Africa practiced open defecation in. The child population in Africa is burgeoning; by 5, 1 in every 3 children under 18 will be African Number of births by UNICEF regions, 195-5 5 3 1 Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia 195 197 199 1 3 5 CEE/CIS East Asia and Pacific Industrialized countries Latin America and Caribbean Middle East and South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Source of chart: You, D., and D. Anthony. Generation 25: The critical importance of understanding demographic trends for the children of the 21st century. UNICEF Occasional Paper, no. 1, September 12. @UNICEF/NYHQ1-22/Asselin East Asia and Pacific Key Statistics By 5, 1 in every 3 births and almost 1 in every 3 children under 18 will be African Between 1 and 25, the child population of sub- Saharan Africa will rise by million. From around 3, sub- Saharan Africa will be the single region with the greatest number of children under 18. Prepared by: UNICEF Data & Analytics Division of Policy and Strategy September (with updated U5MR estimates) Find the latest statistics on children in Africa at the UNICEF-Statistics website: www.childfinfo.org
Percentage () Coverage () Coverage () Drinking Water and Sanitation in Africa Since 199, 351 million people gained access to an improved drinking water source in Africa. Drinking water coverage trends in Africa and sub-regions, 199-3 8 19 22 42 37 1 23 56 1 12 25 25 43 7 1 23 19 54 199 199 199 199 199 199 Eastern West Central Southern North AFRICA Africa Africa Africa Africa Africa 17 8 18 38 36 3 3 3 53 12 72 24 23 22 41 Key facts: Drinking water coverage in Africa increased from 56 in 199, to 67 in. This rate of progress is not sufficient to meet the continent s MDG drinking water target of 78 by 15. Just over a quarter () of the African population enjoys the convenience and associated health benefits of a piped drinking water supply on premises. Over the period 199- Africa s population grew from 4 million people to just over 1 billion. While 351 million gained access to an improved drinking water source, the population without access increased from 2 million in 199, to 3 million in. Piped on premises Other improved sources Unimproved sources Surface water In Africa only of the population uses an improved sanitation facility; the population without access grew by 212 million despite million people gaining access Open defecation rates in declined most from in 199, to 25 in. West and made the least progress on sanitation. In one-fifth (19) of the population still practices open defecation. Malawi, Angola, Ethiopia and Benin registered declines in open defecation rates of 25 percentage points or more since 199. Open defecation rates 199 &, selected countries 199 6 57 93 45 Malawi Angola Ethiopia Benin Source for all charts: UNICEF global databases, based on DHS, MICS, and other national surveys 7-54 Sanitation coverage trends in Africa and sub-regions, 199-37 9 25 35 15 25 34 18 21 27 28 22 24 34 9 199 199 199 199 199 199 Eastern West Central Southern North AFRICA Africa Africa Africa Africa Africa Improved facilities Shared facilities Unimproved facilities 24 32 44 19 21 15 5 53 63 12 4 6 78 Open defecation 32 21 12 35 23 21 16
Maternal Health in Africa Africa has the highest number of maternal deaths - Globally, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) declined from maternal deaths per 1, live births in 199 to 21 in 1 - In sub-saharan Africa the maternal mortality ratio is 5 per 1, live births. - Africa accounts for about 6 percent of all maternal deaths in the world, largely due to limited access to emergency obstetric care and insufficient maternal care during pregnancy and delivery. Antenatal care during pregnancy with skilled health personnel is essential to ensure both mother and baby s well-being Antenatal care: of women (aged 15-49) attended at least once during pregnancy by skilled health personnel (doctor, nurse or midwife) Sub-Saharan Africa World - 5 59 63 68 69 79 77 82 79 81 91 9 95 ~199 ~ The improvement of maternal health outcomes requires key interventions: Assistance from skilled health personnel at delivery. Improved access to emergency obstetric care A minimum of four visits for antenatal care in order to ensure the well-being of mother and babies. Expanding access to information, counseling and supplies for a wide range of contraceptive methods. Lowering birth rates among adolescents Antiretroviral therapy to all pregnant women who need it. Note: Data coverage was insufficient to calculate regional estimates for in 199. Skilled delivery care higher in urban than in rural areas Skilled attendance at birth: of births attended by skilled health personnel (doctor, nurse or midwife), African regions by area of residence, Two out of five babies in Africa are born without support from skilled health attendant Skilled attendance at birth: of births attended by skilled health personnel (doctor, nurse or midwife), country data with regional estimates, Data range 6-72 86 91 76 84 67 68 Urban rural Rural 45 51 53 45 62 Skilled attendance at birth sub-saharan Africa World or more * Note: Data coverage were insufficient to calculate urban and rural estimates for Eastern and. Source for all charts: UNICEF global databases, based on DHS, MICS, and other national surveys as of May Note: Data coverage was insufficient to calculate regional estimate for.