Nearly 10,000 people now have access to safe water in Nuristan
The Afghanistan office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it has provided access to safe water for nearly 10,000 people in the country.
Category: Health
Limited access to healthcare centers forces women into home births
A number of women in Samangan say that economic hardship, the long distance to healthcare centers, inadequate facilities, and limited access to healthcare services have left many women with no option but to give birth at home.
Behind child addiction; when friends lead children to drugs and crime
Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 41 children and adolescents under the age of 18 (aged 13–17) who are addicted to drugs show that these children were introduced to drugs and became addicted through their friends and acquaintances.
Forced marriage; a threat to women’s mental health
Meanwhile, women interviewed for this report say they were forced into marriage without their consent based on decisions made by their families. According to them, these marriages have resulted in psychological trauma, dissatisfaction, and emotional difficulties.
Pregnancy stretch marks; from physical changes to emotional impact
Stretch marks, medically known as ‘striae’, are lines that develop on the skin as a result of excessive stretching. They commonly appear during pregnancy, puberty, or periods of rapid weight change. For many women, these marks become a source of concern about their physical appearance.
Rising cesarean deliveries; medical necessity or lack of awareness about birth spacing?
Findings by Salam Watandar, based on data from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, international organizations, and interviews with medical specialists, indicate that cesarean deliveries are on the rise in Afghanistan.
Hormonal changes and their impact on women’s dental health
According to dentists, hormonal changes during different stages of a woman’s life—from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy—are among the major factors contributing to dental and gum problems. These changes can lead to gum inflammation, bleeding, tooth decay, and increased tooth sensitivity.
“I need someone to help me get up”; swelling during pregnancy
A number of pregnant women in Kunduz are experiencing swelling of the body, a condition that disrupts their daily lives and requires proper awareness and medical care. Doctors warn that this condition, particularly during the final months of pregnancy, can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.
WHO: Tobacco companies deliberately design their products to hook you
World Health Organization (WHO) Afghanistan, on the occasion of “World No Tobacco Day,” has stated that tobacco and nicotine companies deliberately design their products to hook users.
Women’s awareness of curettage; some women face recovery challenges in Badghis
Curettage is a medical procedure used to clean the uterus. According to doctors, it is performed in cases such as incomplete miscarriage, retained tissue or placenta in the uterus, severe bleeding, and other conditions that threaten the mother’s health. However, the experiences of women in Badghis show that the procedure is far more than a simple medical measure, as it is often accompanied by anxiety, pain, and numerous challenges.
Pre-Eid house cleaning; the potential health risks for pregnant women
Cleaning and preparing the house before Eid is one of Afghanistan’s long-standing traditions. Many women in Afghanistan still carry out this exhausting work without taking breaks. The tradition is considered so important among Afghan women that even pregnant women, despite being aware of the potential risks, continue to carry out pre-Eid house cleaning several times a year without hesitation.
UNFPA: 15,000 women in Afghanistan suffer from obstetric fistula
The United Nations Population Fund in Afghanistan (UNFPA) has said that Afghanistan is the fifth country with the highest cases of obstetric fistula in the world.
