Birth Life-Saving Skills (BLiSS) Training Afghanistan

	Afghanistan has the second highest infant mortality in the world: in the first year, 165 in 1,000 children die. More than 25% of Afghan children do not reach their fifth birthday. The high infant mortality rate is directly correlated to the high maternal mortality rate. BLiSS is a participatory group learning exercise with lessons on the leading causes of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Participants learn warning signs in the expectant and birthing mother, as well as for the newborn; and practice basic first aid for use until a referral health care professional can be reached. BLiSS addresses the first two delays in the three delays model of factors that affect maternal mortality. Participants learn when to seek help and how to make the decision and plan to obtain referral health care for the mother and child Birth Life Saving Skills training (BLiSS) teaches mothers, and the women who attend them during birth. The BLiSS material covers healthy choices in pregnancy, warning signs during pregnancy & birth, and the immediate care of the newborn. Healthier mothers and quick recognition of complications, followed by referral to health care facilities will result in the improved lives and health of women and children in Afghanistan. This in turn will result improved infant and maternal mortality rates in these communities. Most men in rural villages don't allow their wives to attend any hospital or clinic which is the cause of many deaths during pregnancy. BLiSS also holds training sessions for men. After attending this training, one man insisted that he take his wife to the hospital in Mazar when he realized she was having serious problems during the pregnancy, despite his mother and others objecting.