Natural disaster

Hurricane Katrina was the deadliest. It is was a  natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.. Many lost their homes, lost family members and friends, and are facing the fact that the infrastructure that supported their daily lives is gone. Many of their basic physical needs are not being met, so they are at risk of dehydration, starvation or malnutrition, heat-related illnesses, and diseases and injuries related to lack of sanitation and safe housing. The experiences result in serious emotional needs that may not be met. The first priority for these children is clearly to meet their basic needs. As much as possible, these children should be protected from the physical and psychological dangers around them, but parents will need help in accomplishing that goal. One study showed the estimated prevalence of serious emotional disturbances among residents of the affected areas was 14.9 percent. Of those, 9.3 percent of youths were believed to have SED that was directly attributable to Hurricane Katrina. Characteristics of SED include inappropriate behavior, depression, hyperactivity, eating disorders, fears and phobias, and learning difficulties. Stress exposure is associated strongly with serious emotional disturbances related to the hurricane. The study found that youth who experienced death of loved one during the storm had. Exposure to physical adversity was the next strongest. The study also showed that Male and female teens who experienced the hurricane showed distinct patterns of behavioral stress as well as gender differences in how they regulated physiological stress, the study found. Specifically, compared to the children who weren't exposed to Katrina, girls who survived the hurricane were more depressed and boys showed lower levels of aggression and higher levels of confidence. Heightened stress hormonal reactions were likewise associated with depression in girls and confidence in boys. The prevalence of serious emotional disturbances among youths exposed to Hurricane Katrina remains high 18 to 27 months after the storm. With these numbers it is suggested that a substantial need for mental health treatment resources in the hurricane-affected areas are needed. Katrina was the costliest hurricane in United States history as well as one of the five deadliest. Four years after the storm, nearly thousands of residents of Mississippi and Louisiana are still displaced from their home. 

 References
abcnews.go.com/US/Katrina

www.history.com/topics/hurricane-katrina

www.redorbit.com/.../study_shows...after_katrina

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

I chose sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is one of the most single most common causes of death in the post-neonatal period (. SIDS accounts for 35- 50% of deaths with in the post-neonatal period. SIDS can be caused by inadequate or absent prenatal care, smoking during and/or after pregnancy, illegal drug use, especially cocaine and heroine, alcohol use during pregnancy, maternal age less than 20, recurrent pregnancy occurring within 1 year of last pregnancy, being exposed to cigarette smoke, and infants who are placed on their tummies or side to sleep. Research shows that children from different ethnicities are at higher risk; these ethnic groups include African Americans, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives. I thought it was very important for parents in my  community to understand the affects of SIDS on young infants. I feel that it is extremely important for families and care takers of infants to understand the harm that can be done to an infant by sleeping in the wrong positions. In Germany in 2002 a total of 359 infants died from SIDS. SIDS is still the leading cause of death after post-neonatal period. German research shows SIDS is caused by prone sleeping position, the mother smoking, and heat stress. Now I feel more aware and more educated on the topic were I can be careful on prenatal care, and the proper way a baby should sleep.

Carolan, Patrick L. (2009) Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Medscape References.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article

Vennemann, MMT. (2005) Modifiable Risk Factors of SIDS in Germany: Results of GeSID, Acta Padiatrica

My personal birthing experience

I would like to talk about the birth of my daughter. On November 16, 1998 I started having contractions about 12:00 pm. I didn’t go to the hospital until 9:00 p.m. that night. My contractions were different at times some where stronger then others. They started me on some fluids and put me in a bed. My contractions started to come faster and faster after I got in the bed. I was excited. It started hurting when the baby started to push down. After five hours of  labor I delivered a healthy baby girl. My doctor was great.  

I have learned that our birthing experiences are completely different. It is customary for delivery to occur with the woman squatting on the ground surrounded by sisters and female relatives, some of whom function as midwives. Midwives get paid only if delivery is successful. A stool is also often used in childbirth. The name given to a child in the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria has to refer to the circumstances of the individual's birth. The contact with the earth as in the squatting position has religious overtones it indicates the fecundity of the earth, and the mother's contact with it. Infertility is considered the greatest tragedy in traditional African society. The burial of the placenta and umbilical cord is thought to restore the woman's fertility and help heal her womb. This practice was even recorded in 19th century Sweden harkening back to heathen times. After reading about other countries and their birthing experience I have realized that I am a blessed individual.

Reference: (.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6558064)