Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Hygiene and Health Needs of Vulnerable Children and Orphans

The demographic of vulnerable children, including orphans, often face many challenges with respect to their general health. Most orphans have limited or no access to primary health care.

Orphanages generally have a high prevalence of poor hygiene practices. Lack of hygiene could be combated by spreading awareness of the consequences of lack of hygiene.

Oral healthcare is one of their significant unmet health needs, among others. If neglected for long enough, oral healthcare can spiral into other ailments and diseases.

Stunted growth in early life can have profound implications for life expectancy and an individual’s productivity while also inhibiting cognitive development. Vulnerability in childhood brought on by lack of hygiene directly correlates with stunted growth in developing countries and is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed.

It has been found that orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) are more likely to be stunted. This effect can be mitigated by access to clean water, a hygienic environment, and adequate access to sanitation. Access to purified water and sanitation is as important as household wealth in reducing stunting among orphans and other vulnerable children.

Orphans are more likely to live in rural and undeveloped areas with poor access to sufficient healthcare facilities, clean water and sanitation. In developing countries, orphaned children face more significant socioeconomic hurdles.

While many children do not die from poor sanitation, lack of sufficient sanitation can still cause poor health and the allied afflictions that accompany it. Lower life expectancy is a result of stunted growth occurring in early childhood.

The other side effects include increased morbidity, lack of education, poor cognitive development, increased risk of prenatal and neonatal complications in orphaned children who may fall prey to unwanted pregnancies and lower quality of life.

Research has revealed the relationships between lack of adequate hygiene in childhood, access to sanitation, and stunting. The research found out that there is an increased likelihood of orphans residing in high-risk areas and will experience a general lack of hygienic values and the benefits that come with it.

The results further indicate that the presence of clean public sanitation facilities such as widespread access to toilets and clean water for orphans and orphanages will go a long way in promoting good health among orphaned children.

Proximity to social services, such as health facilities, will also go a long way in alleviating the problems caused by lack of personal hygiene. Good hygiene will allow these children to reach their full potential, both physically and mentally.