Health Information and preventive health

With knowledge and information we can prevent many health problems. Both acute problems and health problems that increases over time. We therefore put great importance to preventative work both at our schools and through meeting places for discussions and exchanges on important subjects.

Location

Nakamtenga, Burkina Faso

Supervisor

Colette

Status

Ongoing since 2001

Contributing to these

Global Goals

16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions

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Information and preventive health

– Nutritionist for creating good food based on local products as well as collaboration with our restaurant who wants to invest in creating dishes with local products.

– Training for our local midwives in ways to prevent infant mortality.

– The Father groups/mens groups have to be packaged into a three-year program for the long-term establishment of train the trainers, and needs funding.

– Set up all separate course modules for gender (safety) perspectives, for all occupational groups (education, health, production, service).

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ABOUT THE PROJECT

We place great emphasis on preventive health work, information and gender equality. To reach different ages and groups, we organize meeting places where we discuss important social and health issues. Read more below about open preschool. An other activity is the “health-cafes”, a gathering place to increase knowledge in lifestyle issues including nutrition. We also have girl and boy groups for teenagers and young adults.

Domestic violence and gender equality are disadvantaged areas. According to UNICEF's survey (2015), 83% of children have been subjected to physical or mental violence in the past month. The country's ranking in the Gender Inequality Index is 144 out of 155 (2014). Dr Mukweges unique approach with this holistic, integrated health care focuses on the empowerment of women and girls – including prevention and treatment of sexual violence.

Safe meeting places

To reduce maternal and child mortality, we offer extended open preschool, for pregnant and relatives of children 0–3 years. These meetings provide tools for connecting with the children, tips on educational games to be an active part of children's development, but the meetings also create a platform for conversations about sexual and reproductive health. The open preschool has also proven to be an important platform for conversation and information about health, nutrition and needs during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and toddler years. The gatherings are hosted by midwives and other experts on request from the visitors.

Infectious and non-communicable diseases

Knowledge and activites that full fill basic human needs are all health preventive. Both infectious and non-communicable diseases are in many ways linked to our investments in infrastructure, including water and sanitation, waste management, but also gender equality. Even pesticides sold in the market uncontrolled are a major health risk. Another of our goals is to make the traditional healthy food cool again, in order to avoid the purchase of products based on sugar and bad fats.

Father groups/mens groups

Men are an important part of democracy work, as equality requires systematic work to redefine masculinity. Through Father groups/mens groups we work with the definition of masculinity, awareness about limiting traditional gender roles and uneven distribution of work. The work of the Father groups/mens groups is also an important step in reducing domestic violence. These groups started in 2016, to increase the well-being, equality and health of families.