The spelling of the phrase "Child Survival" can be broken down through its individual phonemes. "Child" is pronounced /tʃaɪld/, with the "ch" sound represented by the "c" and "h" letters. "Survival" is pronounced /sərˈvaɪvəl/, with emphasis on the first syllable and "v" and "f" sounds represented by "v" and "sur" respectively. Together, the phrase emphasizes the importance of ensuring the survival of children, especially in areas with high rates of infant and child mortality.
Child Survival refers to the ability of a child to overcome various threats and challenges to its life, health, and well-being, particularly throughout the early stages of development. It encompasses a comprehensive range of interventions, policies, and strategies aimed at ensuring the survival and optimal growth of children.
Child survival efforts primarily focus on reducing child mortality rates, which are measured by the number of deaths of children under the age of five per 1,000 live births. These interventions include preventative measures such as immunizations, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, proper nutrition, and exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, they involve curative actions, including prompt diagnosis and treatment of common childhood illnesses like pneumonia, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition.
The concept of child survival also emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants of health and well-being, such as poverty, discrimination, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare services. In this broader context, child survival initiatives often encompass efforts to improve maternal health, as the well-being of the mother is intricately linked with the survival and development of her child.
Overall, child survival strives to ensure that children not only survive but also thrive, enabling them to reach their full potential. It is a multidimensional approach that involves a combination of medical, social, and economic interventions aimed at safeguarding children's lives and enabling them to lead healthy and productive lives.
The word "child" comes from the Old English word "cild", which primarily meant a young person or offspring. It is related to the Old High German word "kint" and the Gothic word "kilþei", both meaning "womb" or "child". The term "survival" originates from the Latin word "supervivere", which is a combination of "super" (meaning "over" or "above") and "vivere" (meaning "to live"). Thus, "child survival" is a phrase that combines the concept of a young person or offspring with the notion of living or continuing to exist.