Health Profile of Nigeria: Social Factors, Health System, and Challenges

CASE STUDY
Introduction
Country health profile refers to entire scenario of health
status of overall population living in specific country. It
includes the information about present and most commonly
observed disease among people in particular nation.
However, it consist the criterion of gathering research papers
related to general diseases which are frequently occurring in
specific country (Aregbeshola, 2016). It involves the
evaluation go features containing in specific health system of
selected nation as it is related to entire health status of
citizens. In context of given assignment, it is based on
Nigeria which is known as an African country situated at
Gulf of Guinea having number of wildlife reserves and
natural landmarks. This essay will focus on entire health
profile of selected nation by analysing every aspect related
to it.
Nigeria
Nigeria is known as 'Giant of Africa' consisting a large
population as well as economy along with 182 million
inhabitants approximately. It includes the major problem of
occurring communicable and infectious disease among
people which are responsible for creating in appropriate
health status.
The health status of Nigeria is poor as it consist the
major issue related to maternal and child healthcare which
can be considered as a challenge for the country. It is
necessary for government and other respective authorities to
work on different levels to overcome with this situation
(Babalola, 2017). Meanwhile, this nation is called as a
fastest population growing country worldwide having
around 5.5 live births per woman and growth of population
is recorded 3.2 % on yearly basis.
Social factors
Aregbeshola, B.S., 2016. Out-of-pocket payments in
Nigeria. The Lancet, 387(10037), p.2506.
Babalola, S., 2017. Changes in ideational profiles of women
of reproductive age in urban Nigeria: the role of health
communication. Health Education & Behavior, 44(6),
pp.907-917.
Dauda, R.S., 2017. Poverty and economic growth in Nigeria:
Issues and policies. Journal of Poverty, 21(1), pp.61-79.
Olasehinde, N. and Olaniyan, O., 2017. Determinants of
household health expenditure in Nigeria. International
Journal of Social Economics.
Major challenge
On the other hand, the major challenge for Nigeria health
profile is maternal and child health which due to which
mortality rate get increased. It is also consider the reason
behind poor health status of country and his nation is known
as Giant for entire continent of Africa. Basically, USAID
Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Program has been
applied to save lives of approximately 60 millions of
Nigerians respectively. According to this programs, the
effective training is deliver to public health care workers in
order to enhance the better quality of medications, vaccines,
medical services as well as health resources related to
reproductive aspects of health .
References
Health system of Nigeria for major diseases
The Health system of Nigeria has taken several
interventions to enhance health status of citizens by
eliminating threat of occurring infectious diseases among
them. It includes National Health policy and Health Sector
Reform that has been established to make sure about clear
roles of government including increased awareness of
consumers, seek partnership with private care centres,
development partners and doors or NGOs to get support to
enhancing entire population health. However, it includes
several other programs such as make availability of
medicines in rural areas by making Traditional Medicine
Policy and National Economic Empowerment and
Development strategy (NEEDS) including developing jobs
in NDE & NAPEP.
On the other hand, Government of Nigeria should strictly
take actions for improving entire health status of overall
population with the help of increased budget expenditures
for health condition. It includes the criterion of establishing
more effective as well as efficient program to manage the
occurring cases related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis
among citizens.
Social factors refers to set of elements which are responsible
specific lifestyle of an individual which impact positively or
negatively on their health. It includes number of components
such as education, gender inequality, barriers to health access
and culture. However, these elements are responsible for
influencing the way of thinking and adopting their lifestyle
accordingly. Meanwhile, it will impact on health status of
people which is required to be improved for maintain better
health condition. In context of Nigerians, some of social
factors influencing their wellness is mentioned here.
Initially, education can be considered as a major
factor which is responsible for influencing the health
condition of an individual. If a person get proper education
then they are more aware of appropriate precaution to be
taken in daily life for avoiding harmful diseases. However, it
is has been analysed that due to lack of education among
mothers, the probability of death rate between new born kids
is tow times higher as compared to those who born to
educated mothers (Dauda, 2017). Meanwhile, the factor of
illiteracy is directly proportional to poverty, malnutrition, ill
health as well as high infant & child mortality rate among
Nigerians.
Conclusion
From the above report, it has concluded that overall country
profile of health consist the current health status of
population and implemented health system. It includes
number of social factors which are responsible for
influencing health of people including education, gender
inequality, barrier to health access and culture & religion.
However, it consist major health issue faced by selected
country are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria which
should be focused by government for improving entire
health status of population. Moreover, it involves a
challenge of be address in this country which poor maternal
and child health condition.