Design Thinking & High Infant Mortality Rates in Uganda

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Background/Context
Personal Interpretation of Underlying Complications of the Challenge
Design Thinking Principles
Innovation Framework
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Infant and child mortality rates are considered unacceptably high in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, numerous factors have contributed to the high number of child death in the region (Global Health Observatory). Issues such as extreme poverty, lack of access to quality health care, and cultural ignorance have all been influential towards this front. Therefore, in trying to find a solution to the problem, one must acknowledge the various factors that cause the same. This makes the challenge more complex as there is no “one size fits all” solution. Indeed, some countries have managed to lower their infant mortality rates significantly over the years. However, some are still struggling to achieve the same. This essay looks into child death in Uganda, which is a third-world country in Africa. The essay gives a background to the challenge and highlights some of the things that have been done to lower infant and child mortality. Additionally, personal interpretation of the challenge and three design-thinking principles will be used to create a design thinking innovative framework.

Background/Context

Child mortality rates are a big concern for many countries and governments. According to WHO, 75% of all recorded infant and child deaths happen to children who are yet to reach their fifth birthday (Global Health Observatory). Numerous countries have cited various reasons as to why this happens. Forty-three children in Uganda die for every 1000 born due to similar reasons (LeAnne 183). According to LeAnne, one driving cause of the infant mortality rate in Uganda is poor access to health facilities (183). The Government of Uganda states that the country has 155 hospitals, with only two being referral hospitals for approximately 43 million people (Hospitals). The statistics show that there is a dire shortage of these critical facilities in the region. A second driving cause of infant and child death in the country is poverty. 20% of the population lives below the dollar, and more are barely just over these statistics (Uganda Poverty Assessment 2016). This makes it difficult for families to prioritize health over other needs, such as food and shelter.

Critically, numerous studies have tried to prove (or disprove) that there is a link between environmental factors and high infant mortality rates. Arguably, the most common link is that areas that have been exposed to toxic waste from industrial productions are expected to have high child death. However, this does not apply to Uganda as it is a third-world country, but it does not have a fully developed industrial sector (compared to other countries that record lower child deaths). Despite this, it is debatable that there is still an environmental link that can be explored. Theoretically, environmental factors affect the socio-economic nature of a community. Thereby, the affected are either able to access the needed health services or not; have the knowledge required to take care of newborns better or not; and demand for their and their children’s rights or not. In Uganda, the political environment has enhanced the poor socio-economic statuses of a majority of the citizens that, arguably, has led to high child and infant mortality rates.

A significant percentage of the most affected people are vulnerable, poor, and illiterate individuals. The level of education is critical in discussing child mortality issues as it underscores the relevance of exposure. It can be stated that people who are educated will adhere to health guidelines such as attending antenatal care and taking the necessary vitamins before and during pregnancy, but they will also lobby for quality health care for themselves. The country has a 76.53% literacy rate and is ranked 120 in the world (LeAnne 183). Additionally, the most affected are living in rural areas compared to the urban centers due to ease of access to information and healthcare facilities. One can argue that the affected behavior is laid-back, as they do not expect much assistance since they are not well educated either.

Possibly, there are a few unique circumstances that have contributed to the high child death in the country. First, the political scene can be attributed to the unfortunate health statistics shared. Historically, Uganda has not had a chance to vote in a seating president democratically. This is because each seating president has been forcefully removed from office, and a new one installed through military coups. Therefore, the administration has been described as being military-oriented as opposed to people-centered. Any solution to the problem should fully appreciate the extent of this political history in ensuring quality health care for the people.

Personal Interpretation of Underlying Complications of the Challenge

As stated, various underlying complications are linked to the selected challenge. A personal interpretation of the same reveals that Uganda, like other developing countries struggling with high infant and child mortality rates, is ultimately unlikely to lower these numbers. Arguably, the population carries significant blame for the unique challenges presented in the country’s politics. Notably, the country is described as being a democratic state with an active opposition party. However, over the years, there has been little, if any, support from the general public that motivates the opposition leaders to seek changes such as better access to health care and education. Whereas this is not a direct link to the stated problem, it provides a reason why a majority of the affected appear to remain in the same poverty cycle. This allows parents to raise kids with the same perceptions about society and some of the things that affect them, such as child and infant mortality.

On the same note, the citizens’ economic status influences policy development when the reverse should be true. Arguably, public participation is not encouraged in the country, and the policies that are eventually adopted do not address the immediate needs of the public. Critical discussions have to be held at the state level to develop ways the public can engage with their government on critical issues such as child mortality. Ideally, such action will take time, and it is for this reason that the innovation framework suggests a way of enhancing knowledge among the population. Arguably, a more knowledgeable community will ensure the population can lobby for the services they require and hold the government accountable if they fail to offer the same.

Design Thinking Principles

The three principles of design thinking that have been used to develop the stated framework are empathy, brainstorming, and experimentation. Innovators often design products and services that they believe will help society. However, numerous such projects have failed to kick off simply because they lacked empathy. Empathy refers to the ability of the innovation to solve a crucial need for a community. The suggested framework works with the assumption that child mortality is a concern for the government and the citizens of Uganda. Arguably, it is a significant concern for the whole world as WHO supports different governments to lower these preventable deaths. It is critical to point out that ideation should go hand-in-hand with the empathy principle. This means that once the idea is conceived, the innovator should discuss it with the target group to ensure that it solves their problems rather than the challenges the innovator has come up with on their own.

The issue of empathy also encourages the re-shaping of the idea once consultations with the target group have been done. For example, after discussions with parents in Uganda, one might realize that access to USSD enabled phones might still be a challenge to a significant percentage of the target population. If such a realization arises, the innovator has to come up with a solution or create an innovation altogether. Although the empathy principle suggests repeat consultation exercises, it is one of the most basic design thinking standards as it allows the innovator to come up with a solution that works.

The second principle that should be used in the process is brainstorming, which is also referred to as expansive thinking. One would imagine that brainstorming should come before empathy. However, in design thinking, this is hardly the case. The reason behind this is that the dire concern for the community might not change for months, but solutions to the same can frequently change before one ideal product is designed. As stated, the challenge is the high mortality rates for under-5 children in Uganda. This challenge has not changed since 2000, yet numerous solutions have tried to address the same issue. The brainstorming session can be divided into two main phases. The first is for the initial product – where different solutions are provided to the challenge, and the best one is then selected. The second phase is on the different aspects that make up the product selected. Each step will require some level of brainstorming to ensure it is done in the best way possible.

One element of brainstorming that can be considered for the solution given is that it has to apply to both the urban and the rural parents. Indeed, whereas parents living in urban set-ups have a higher chance of giving birth and raising healthy kids, a significant number still do not have the same knowledge. Secondly, the selected solution should also be easily accessible to the different cohorts that make up the target group. For instance, it should apply to people with access to mobile phones, the internet, and data network while at the same time can be utilized by people with no access to the mentioned elements.

As the name suggests, this principle is pegged on the fact that the idea created has to be tested. Indeed, even after the target group has agreed that the solution is viable for their situation, the idea’s practicality must be tested. Towards this end, the creation of a prototype would be crucial to make the idea tangible. One advantage of experimentation is that it allows the innovator to identify any loopholes, gaps, or challenges that might occur later. These loopholes can then be addressed before the innovation is complete. Experimentation also allows the innovator to see and feel his or her innovation physically. The chance to test the draft design will not only motivate the innovator but also ensure appreciation for the work done.

The suggested solution will also have a prototype that will be tested by both the innovator and a select group of the target audience. The initial prototype is a storyboard that can indicate how the information will be packaged in the application. Additionally, the storyboard will inform the user interface and determine how the voice aspect will be implemented. The solution will then be tested for practicability – to ensure both the application and the USSD code are running as expected. After the practicability test, the solution will be tested among a select group of the same target audience or people with similar characteristics to the end-user. It is critical to note that this phase of the innovation process can provide critical information that leads to the change of some or all aspects of the solution.

Innovation Framework

A lack of knowledge links the numerous factors contributing to child and infant mortality rates in Uganda. Therefore, any framework suggested should try to resolve this issue. It is imperative to note that lack of knowledge refers to both school-based and health-based information. The suggested solution is the design of a platform that teaches some school-related courses and general health information. This will be presented in both a mobile application and a USSD code for people who do not own smartphones.

Importantly, many people like to play games on their phones. The suggested application and USSD code will playfully combine both voice and text to ensure a smooth uptake of the same. Information will be provided both in short prose form and in question format to allow the recipients to test their knowledge. For example, where users can read a short paragraph or listen to the same, they will get two quick questions to test their knowledge. It is essential to state that the application will be accessible in both English and the local dialect. As mentioned, a significant number of those affected are illiterate. The voice aspect of the application will make sure the users understand, and they can also quickly answer the questions by pressing the correct key on their phone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the process of design thinking is essential in the creation of practical solutions for modern problems. It is a relatively new concept that has already been used to come up with innovative solutions. Indeed, not only does this approach help come up with ideas that are viable but also sustainable. In this instance, principles of design thinking have been applied to address the challenge of high child mortality rates in Uganda, which is considered to have one of the highest child death rates in Africa. Some of the reasons the area has significant cases of child death include culture, poverty, political ignorance, lack of access to healthcare facilities, and poor quality healthcare services. All these aspects have to be considered when coming up with a practical solution to the problem. Importantly, three fundamental design thinking principles must be considered when coming up with the ideal solution for the identified challenge. The three principles are empathy, brainstorming, and experimentation.

Works Cited

“Global Health Observatory (GHO) Data.” WHO, 2020. Web.

“Hospitals.” Ministry of Uganda, 2020. Web.

LeAnne, Rheta Steen, editor. Emerging Research in Play Therapy, Child Counseling, and Consultation. IGI Global, 2017.

“Uganda Poverty Assessment 2016: Fact Sheet.” World Bank, Web.

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