News / Health
HIV-related illnesses leading causes of deaths in Harare
22 Dec 2014 at 05:44hrs | Views
HARARE - HIV-related illnesses have been identified as one of the leading causes of deaths in Harare, the Harare City Council 2013 health report revealed.
In a report presented to the health committee by health services director Prosper Chonzi, HCC noted that the number of deaths recorded in 2013 had dropped to 9 748 from 10 242 in 2012.
The population of Harare was at 1 634 004 with the total live and crude birth rate having decreased to 57 665 in 2013 from 61 536 in 2012.
"The five leading causes and deaths of all ages in rank order were HIV-related, pneumonia, tuberculosis, congested cardiac failure and cerebral vascular accident respectively," read part of the report.
The highest percentage of deaths still occurred in the 25 to 44-year age groups as with the previous years.
Chonzi's report which was presented to the health committee also noted that suicidal deaths decreased from 96 in 2012 to 62 in 2013.
Common methods used in suicides according to the report were ingestion of organophosphates, hanging, gun shots and carbonate poisoning.
"Attendances for sexually transmitted disease at the Genito Urinary Centre increased by 17,1 percent from 4 902 in 2012 to 5 742 in 2013.
"These included both initial, repeat visits and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera (VIAC) patients."
According to the report, tuberculosis remained a public health concern despite a decrease in the number of notified cases to 5 169 from 5 441 in 2012.
While the number of children who attended under-fives clinic for weighing, advice and immunisation increased, maternity bookings decreased by 2,9 percent.
In the report, Chonzi also noted the environmental conditions which were dissatisfying to residents, among them, supply of water and sewerage services.
He also noted that residents complained about the standard of services delivered for refuse collection, rampant illegal vending of food and non-food items and mushrooming of squatter settlements.
In a report presented to the health committee by health services director Prosper Chonzi, HCC noted that the number of deaths recorded in 2013 had dropped to 9 748 from 10 242 in 2012.
The population of Harare was at 1 634 004 with the total live and crude birth rate having decreased to 57 665 in 2013 from 61 536 in 2012.
"The five leading causes and deaths of all ages in rank order were HIV-related, pneumonia, tuberculosis, congested cardiac failure and cerebral vascular accident respectively," read part of the report.
The highest percentage of deaths still occurred in the 25 to 44-year age groups as with the previous years.
Chonzi's report which was presented to the health committee also noted that suicidal deaths decreased from 96 in 2012 to 62 in 2013.
Common methods used in suicides according to the report were ingestion of organophosphates, hanging, gun shots and carbonate poisoning.
"Attendances for sexually transmitted disease at the Genito Urinary Centre increased by 17,1 percent from 4 902 in 2012 to 5 742 in 2013.
"These included both initial, repeat visits and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera (VIAC) patients."
According to the report, tuberculosis remained a public health concern despite a decrease in the number of notified cases to 5 169 from 5 441 in 2012.
While the number of children who attended under-fives clinic for weighing, advice and immunisation increased, maternity bookings decreased by 2,9 percent.
In the report, Chonzi also noted the environmental conditions which were dissatisfying to residents, among them, supply of water and sewerage services.
He also noted that residents complained about the standard of services delivered for refuse collection, rampant illegal vending of food and non-food items and mushrooming of squatter settlements.
Source - DailyNews
