%0 Journal Article
%T Risks to Early Childhood Health and Development in the Postconflict Transition of Northern Uganda
%A Theresa A. McElroy
%A Stella Atim
%A Charles P. Larson
%A Robert W. Armstrong
%J International Journal of Pediatrics
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/820290
%X Research from numerous fields of science has documented the critical importance of nurturing environments in shaping young children's future health and development. We studied the environments of early childhood (birth to 3 years) during postconflict, postdisplacement transition in northern Uganda. The aim was to better understand perceived needs and risks in order to recommend targeted policy and interventions. Methods. Applied ethnography (interview, focus group discussion, case study, observational methods, document review) in 3 sites over 1 year. Results. Transition was a prolonged and deeply challenging phase for families. Young children were exposed to a myriad of risk factors. Participants recognized risks as potential barriers to positive long-term life outcomes for children and society but circumstances generally rendered them unable to make substantive changes. Conclusions. Support structures were inadequate to protect the health and development of children during the transitional period placing infants and young children at risk. Specific policy and practice guidelines are required that focus on protecting hard-to-reach, vulnerable, children during what can be prolonged and extremely difficult periods of transition. 1. Introduction Research from biology to the social sciences continues to build strong evidence demonstrating that the conditions in which young children live and grow are determinants of their health and developmental trajectories [1¨C13]. The World Health OrganizationĄ¯s Commission on Social Determinants in Health [14, 15] commissioned a report on early childhood development, completed in 2007 [2, 3]. Its key messages include the following: the early years are the most critical period in human development; numerous physical health, mental health, and social outcomes are strongly influenced by conditions experienced in early childhood; failure to provide nurturing environments not only impacts individual life chances but can threaten sustainable, peaceful, equitable development in society; caregivers require support from government and other agencies (local to international) to create nurturing environments for children [2]. Stimulation received in responsive and nurturing relationships, exposure to safe environments, and meeting of physical needs like adequate nutrition [1] provide what children need for healthy development. All too often young children are exposed to conditions that do not meet their most basic needs for health and development. The literature conservatively estimates that worldwide more than 200 million children
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijpedi/2012/820290/