Blood infection during pregnancy is a serious health condition that can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus. It occurs when microbes enter the bloodstream, causing a severe immune response. A number of women in Baghlan say they have faced serious challenges in accessing healthcare services.
Findings from Salam Watandar’s interviews with 35 women across 10 provinces of Afghanistan (Kapisa, Badakhshan, Kabul, Daikundi, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Faryab, Ghor, Kunduz, and Badghis) show that media health programs increase women’s awareness of health issues and improve their health-related behaviors. According to the findings, all of the women interviewed say that the media are effective in improving their health awareness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
