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The following information is from the Liberia: National Health Care Plan Brochure and summarizes the strategic plan and its major initiatives. |
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The following information is from Liberia: 2007 Demographic and Health Survey Key Findings booklet which outlines data gathered by the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National AIDS Control Program The surveys were of 7,092 women 15-49 years old (YO) and 6,009 men 15-49 but the data is to be representative of the whole country.
Households
- 11% ofhouseholds have drinking water on the premises
- Only 3% of households have electricity and 7% of urban households have power
- 10% of households have improved toilet facilities
- Only 2% have a refrigerator
Education
- 8% of women and 19% of men 15-49 YO have completed secondary school or more
Marriage, Sexuality, and Childbirth
- Half of women 20-49 were married by 18.6 YO and 44% married by their 18th birthday
- More than 75% of women and almost 50% of men were sexually active by 18
- 50% of women 20-49 had first child by 19.1 YO
- Young women with no education are 3x more likely to have children by 19 than those that went to secondary school
Family Planning
- 87% of women know at least one method of family planning
- Unmarried sexually active women are more likely to use family planning
- Almost half of non-users do not intend on using contraception in the future most commonly due to fear of side effects, desire to have more children and lack of knowledge about the methods
- 36% of married women have an unmet need for family planning
- Almost 66% of women and more than 50% of men have not been exposed to messages about family planning
Infant and Child Mortality
- One in every nine children dies before his or her 5th birthday
- Infant mortality ranges from 69/1,000 births in Monrovia to 142/1,000 births in the South Central region (Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Margibi Counties)
Child Health
- Only 39% of children 12-23 months have received all recommended vaccines
- 12% have not received any of the recommended vaccines
HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes
- 90% of adults have heard of AIDS but only 50% of women and 71% of men 15-49 YO know the risk of getting HIV can be reduced by using condoms
- More than 50% of men and women know that HIV can be transmitted by breastfeeding
- Many believe misconceptions about HIV/AIDS: 50% know that AIDS can not be transmitted by mosquito bites
- “There is still alot of stigma associated with HIV in Liberia.”
- Almost 60% of adults agree that 12-14 YO should be taught about condom use to avoid AIDS
HIV/AIDS Related Behavior
- “Very few Liberians have ever been tested for HIV” Only 3% of women and 5% of men have been tested and received the results
- 25% of 15-24 YO have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS
- Only 14% of sexually active young women and 21% of young men report using a condom the last time they had sex
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Of almost 12,000 men and women 1.5 % of 15-49 YO were HIV-positive
- Prevalence is highest among women and men living in Monrovia
How Can You Help Improve Liberia's Health Care System
The Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is taking steps to improve the country’s health care system. Here are some ideas on how you can take action to be the arms and legs in improving the health care system:
- Be conscious and aware of personal health state
- Maintain routine testing and doctor visits
- Practice healthy behaviors (proper nutrition; exercise; prevention; treatment)
- Educate yourself about health issues and delivery systems then share the information
- You can take online quizzes (http://www.avert.org/hivquiz.htm)
- Visit the Ministry of Health’s Website and research other sites for information
- Talk to doctors, nurses, personnel
- Spread the word to friends, family, local organizations and affiliations about a public health cause you support
- Utilize an artistic venue to express your message
- Become an activist by joining established organizations (i.e. Liberia National Red Cross Society, YouthAIDS, etc.) or create your own group
- Donate time, resources, funds to Liberian Hospitals and Clinics
- Organize fundraisers and drives to get the donated materials
- Visit the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for more information on volunteer and employment opportunities
- Support LAPA Program's - Check regularly for LAPA fundraiser and events
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