In Swaziland, the WHO World Health report (2004) indicates an adult mortality28 rate per 1000 population of 818 for males and 707 for females. This may be a conservative estimate. During 2002, around 15,000 deaths were recorded in Swaziland29 - but as this figure takes no account of (unregistered) home deaths, the actual number is thought to be higher.
Life expectancy for males is 36.9; for females 40.4. Healthy life expectancy is 33.2 for males; 35.2 for females.30 Predictions suggest that life expectancy will fall to 27 by 2010 – from a life expectancy of 61 in 1995.31 The disease profile of Swaziland is that of a developing country and reflects poor socio-economic conditions with some elements of epidemiological transition, typified by a rise in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Because it is a lower middle-income country, there is a reasonable level of infrastructure. According to Swaziland’s Health Statistics Report, 199932 the four major causes of outpatient consultations were respiratory diseases (27.8%), skin disorders (11.1%), diarrhoeal diseases (11.1%) and genital disorders (7.6%).
Swaziland is one of the worst HIV/AIDS affected countries in the world. The HIV prevalence in pregnant women grew from 3.9% in 1992 to 34.2% in 2000 and 38.8% in 2003.33 Estimates suggest that between 210,000 and 230,000 people in Swaziland were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003. In the same year, up to 23,000 adults and children are thought to have died from the disease (Table 6).
Table 6 Country HIV and AIDS estimates, end 2003
Adult (15-49)
HIV prevalence rate
|
38.8%
(range: 37.2%-40.4%)
|
Adults (15-49)
living with HIV
|
200 000
(range: 190 000-210 000)
|
Adults and children (0-49)
living with HIV
|
220 000
(range: 210 000-230 000)
|
Women (15-49)
living with HIV
|
110 000
(range: 110 000-120 000)
|
AIDS deaths
(adults and children)
in 2003
|
17 000
(range: 13 000-23 000)
|
Source: 2004 Report in the global AIDS epidemic
UNAIDS reports:
Women of childbearing age make up 47.7% of women in Swaziland, or a quarter of the population (report of the 1997 Swaziland Population and Housing Census Vol. 4). This population is highly vulnerable to HIV infection, particularly the younger women. Periodic surveillance of antenatal clinics in the country has shown a consistent rise in the prevalence of HIV infection among women attending the clinics.
The most recent surveillance report of 2002 gives an overall prevalence of 38.6% The highest prevalence of 41.0% was among the younger age group of 15–29 years. The older women, 30 years and over, had a prevalence of 27.7% ( Swaziland Ministry of Health Eighth HIV Sentinel Surveillance, 2002).
It is also estimated that there are over 60 000 orphans, with approximately four children per household with an average age of 11 years. An estimated 15 000 households or more are headed by orphaned children, living on their own or with a sick parent or relative, with no resources or skills to provide for their basic needs.34
|
Your Location: Global Analysis Home > Countries A-Z > Swaziland > Epidemiology