Zimbabwe Health | 2021 | The Global Graph Skip to main content

Zimbabwe Health

Last Update: This Article was Last updated on | Published by : | Category : Zimbabwe

CONTENT


Causes of death across Zimbabwe are changing because of Population Increase, Life Expectancy rise and Living Standard.On this below article we provide graphical representation of major causes of death in Zimbabwe.

Highlights of Zimbabwe BMI and Diet Compositions

Comprehensive data on food supply and consumption is published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Data was analyzed by The Global Graph and is published in these below Highlights, Graphs and Tables (Data Quality & definitions)

  • As per United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), average person in Zimbabwe gets their caloric supply from :
    • Carbohydrates : 66.29%66.29%
    • Fat : 24.33%24.33%
    • Plant protein : 6.92%6.92%
    • Animal protein : 2.22%2.22%
  • 0.24% decrease in caloric supply : Currently Zimbabwe gets 2110/kilocalories per person per day worth of caloric supply when compared to 2115/kilocalories per person per day in Year 1961
  • Cereals & Grains, Oils & Fats and Sugar are three major diet compositions in Zimbabwe
  • Maize, Wheat and Rice are three major Cereal preferences in Zimbabwe
  • National and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on vegetable intake is to range between 200-250g per day and in Zimbabwe average intake is 43.95 grams
  • Bananas, Oranges & Mandarines and Apples are three major Fruit Types Intake in Zimbabwe
  • National and World Health Organization (WHO) typically set a guideline of 200g Fruit Intake per day and in Zimbabwe average Fruit intake is 41.97grams
  • In Zimbabwe, average male height is in the decreasing trend and female height is in decreasing trend
  • 32.40% of population is suffering from obesity and this trend is continously increasing from last few years
  • Average Male BMI in Zimbabwe is in the range of normal and Average Female BMI is in range of normal (BMI = Body Mass Index - The WHO define a BMI <=18.5 as 'underweight'; 18.5 to 25 as 'normal/healthy'; 25.0 to 30.0 as 'obese')


Breakdown of the average per capita intake of cereals by specific cereal-based commodity types, measured in kilocalories per person per day. This figure measures the primary equivalent of all food products derived from a given commodity (e.g. "wheat" represents the primary equivalent of its derived products). Data refers to cereal food supply at the consumer level but does not account for consumer wastage in

Cereal Preferences in Zimbabwe
RankCerealskcal/capita/day
1Maize743
2Wheat243
3Rice101
4Sorghum33
5Barley2
6Oats0

This below table shows the Diet Compositions (Average per capita dietary energy supply by commodity groups, measured in kilocalories per person per day) in Zimbabwe

Diet Compositions in Zimbabwe
RankTypekilocalories per person per day
1Cereals & Grains1147
2Oils & Fats340
3Sugar268
4Meat91
5Alcoholic Beverages76
6Dairy & Eggs55
7Starchy Roots54
8Pulses36
9Fruits & Vegetables29
10Other14

Major Cause of Death


HIV/AIDS was a major cause of death in Zimbabwe with 29422 registered deaths (in year 2016) i.e. 21% of total deaths. Overall HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular diseases and Cancers were the highest types of death causes in Zimbabwe.
    Major Cause of Death in Zimbabwe
  • We see the maximum number of deaths is seen in age group 15-49 with 50893 deaths (year 2016).
  • 33.44% kids below age 5 years die because of Neonatal disorders.
  • HIV/AIDS, Diarrheal diseases and Lower respiratory infections are the major cause of death in kids aged 5 - 14 years.
  • HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Cancers are the major cause of death in people aged 14 - 49 years.
  • Cancers, Cardiovascular diseases and HIV/AIDS are the major cause of death in people aged over 50 years.
  • Overall, it's observed that 20% of people aging over 50 years die because of Cancers.
Read more about Cardiovascular diseases

Major Cause of Deaths in Zimbabwe (and it's count) Number of Deaths in Zimbabwe - Age wise (only due to Major diseases)

Major Risk Factors of Death


  • Three Major factors of death in Zimbabwe are Unsafe sex, High blood pressure and High blood sugar. Every year around 6035 people die due to Unsafe sex.
  • Child wasting and Low birth weight are the major risk factor of kids death aging under 5 years.
  • Unsafe sex and Unsafe water source are the major risk factors of death of people aging between 5 to 14 years.
  • Unsafe sex, Alcohol use and Smoking are the death risk factors of people aging between 15 to 49 years.
  • Unsafe sex, High blood pressure and High blood sugar are the major death risk factors of people aging between 50 to 69 years.
  • High blood pressure is the major death risk factors for people aging more than 70 years.


Major Cause of Deaths in Zimbabwe (and it's count)

Cancer Analysis


0.4% of Zimbabwe population was suffering from cancer i.e. 24054 people (average of years 2011-2016). Highest number of cancer patients deaths were recorded due to Cervical cancer (Count : 1632) and Prostate cancer was also concerning with 1533 deaths in a year. In last few years it has been observed that, people suffering from Stomach cancer have 6% of survival chance.Zimbabwe was really successful in diagnosing Kidney cancer where 90% of people were cured.Highest number of cancer patients i.e. 9255 people were of age group 50-69 year olds.In 2016, 7312 were suffering from Cervical cancer out of which 1632 people were dead. This means 22.32% death rate of people suffering from Cervical cancer. This below data represents major cancer types in Zimbabwe and number of deaths due to particular cancer types :

    Highlights of Cancer in Zimbabwe :
  • 0.4 % of Zimbabwe population is suffering from cancer
  • Highest number of deaths were registered due to Cervical cancer
  • Kidney cancer was most cured cancer in Zimbabwe
  • Cervical cancer got lowest survival rate
Major Risk Factors of Death (count) in Zimbabwe

Tables (Appendix)


Major Cause of Deaths in Zimbabwe (and it's count)
Cause of Death Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Dementia 1634 1.16%
Cardiovascular diseases 16113 11.43%
Kidney disease 1977 1.4%
Respiratory disease 3418 2.43%
Liver disease 1109 0.79%
Diabetes, blood and endocrine disease 7665 5.44%
Digestive disease 3451 2.45%
Hepatitis 87 0.06%
Cancers 13714 9.73%
Parkinson's disease 110 0.08%
Fire 648 0.46%
Malaria 1541 1.09%
Drowning 481 0.34%
Homicide 1645 1.17%
HIV/AIDS 29422 20.88%
Drug disorder 293 0.21%
Tuberculosis 9738 6.91%
Road incidents 3480 2.47%
Maternal deaths 2117 1.5%
Neonatal deaths 10910 7.74%
Alcohol disorder 257 0.18%
Natural disasters 0 0%
Diarrheal diseases 8222 5.83%
Digestive disease 3451 2.45%
Road incidents 3480 2.47%
Diabetes, blood and endocrine disease 7665 5.44%
Diarrheal diseases 8222 5.83%
Tuberculosis 9738 6.91%
Neonatal deaths 10910 7.74%
Lower respiratory infections 11913.5866655 8.45%
Cancers 13714 9.73%
Cardiovascular diseases 16113 11.43%
HIV/AIDS 29422 20.88%


Zimbabwe - Cause of Death in Age : Under 5 years
Cause Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Homicide 64 0.2%
Diarrheal diseases 1858 5.69%
Lower respiratory infections 1889 5.79%
Neonatal infections 0 0%
Congenital birth defects 12 0.04%
Nutritional deficiencies 5432 16.65%
Protein-energy malnutrition 0 0%
HIV/AIDS 10910 33.44%
Malaria 266 0.82%
Cardiovascular disease 497 1.52%
Tuberculosis 1042 3.19%
Digestive diseases 84 0.26%
Road accidents 745 2.28%
Diabetes, blood and endocrine disease 112 0.34%
Measles 117 0.36%
Cancers 11 0.03%
Fire 272 0.83%
Drowning 248 0.76%
Homicide 15 0.05%
Kidney disease 37 0.11%
Liver disease 721 2.21%
Heat-related deaths (hot or cold exposure) 1951 5.98%
Hepatitis 4156 12.74%
Drug use disorders 173 0.53%
Natural disasters 2018 6.18%


Zimbabwe - Cause of Death in Age : 5 - 14 years
Cause Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Suicide 9 0.21%
Homicide 70 1.62%
Nutritional deficiencies 135 3.12%
Protein-energy malnutrition 129 2.98%
Natural disasters 0 0%
Heat-related deaths (hot or cold exposure) 7 0.16%
Diarrheal diseases 401 9.26%
Road accidents 274 6.33%
Tuberculosis 254 5.86%
HIV/AIDS 1606 37.07%
Drowning 76 1.75%
Malaria 178 4.11%
Fire 51 1.18%
Cancers 208 4.8%
Hepatitis 7 0.16%
Digestive diseases 96 2.22%
Diabetes, blood, and endocrine diseases 108 2.49%
Liver disease 16 0.37%
Respiratory disease 47 1.08%
Kidney disease 29 0.67%
Cardiovascular disease 293 6.76%
Lower respiratory infections 338 7.8%


Zimbabwe - Cause of Death in Age : 15 - 49 years
Cause Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Suicide 1289 2.77%
Homicide 1405 3.02%
Nutritional deficiencies 262 0.56%
Protein-energy malnutrition 221 0.47%
Natural disasters 0 0%
Heat-related deaths (hot or cold exposure) 55 0.12%
Diarrheal diseases 1018 2.18%
Road accidents 1927 4.14%
Tuberculosis 4294 9.22%
HIV/AIDS 23900 51.29%
Drowning 179 0.38%
Malaria 454 0.97%
Fire 202 0.43%
Cancers 2745 5.89%
Hepatitis 42 0.09%
Digestive diseases 909 1.95%
Diabetes, blood, and endocrine diseases 1477 3.17%
Liver disease 372 0.8%
Respiratory disease 557 1.2%
Kidney disease 418 0.9%
Cardiovascular disease 2573 5.52%
Drug disorder 226 0.49%
Alcohol disorder 90 0.19%
Parkinson's disease 1 0%
Dementia 2 0%
Lower respiratory infections 1977 4.24%


Zimbabwe - Cause of Death in Age : 50 - 69 years
Cause Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Suicide 508 2.06%
Homicide 86 0.35%
Nutritional deficiencies 314 1.27%
Protein-energy malnutrition 281 1.14%
Natural disasters 0 0%
Heat-related deaths (hot or cold exposure) 37 0.15%
Diarrheal diseases 495 2.01%
Road accidents 581 2.36%
Tuberculosis 2530 10.27%
HIV/AIDS 2654 10.77%
Drowning 70 0.28%
Malaria 97 0.39%
Fire 96 0.39%
Cancers 4945 20.07%
Hepatitis 18 0.07%
Digestive diseases 788 3.2%
Diabetes, blood, and endocrine diseases 2471 10.03%
Liver disease 411 1.67%
Respiratory disease 972 3.95%
Kidney disease 557 2.26%
Cardiovascular diseases 4305 17.48%
Dementia 110 0.45%
Parkinson's disease 10 0.04%
Drug disorder 41 0.17%
Alcohol disorder 139 0.56%
Lower respiratory infections 2118 8.6%


Zimbabwe - Cause of Death in Age : 70 + years
Cause Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Suicide 391 1.21%
Homicide 21 0.06%
Nutritional deficiencies 681 2.1%
Protein-energy malnutrition 607 1.87%
Natural disasters 0 0%
Heat-related deaths (hot or cold exposure) 17 0.05%
Diarrheal diseases 877 2.7%
Road accidents 432 1.33%
Tuberculosis 2163 6.67%
HIV/AIDS 220 0.68%
Drowning 71 0.22%
Malaria 67 0.21%
Fire 188 0.58%
Cancers 5699 17.58%
Hepatitis 9 0.03%
Digestive diseases 1386 4.27%
Diabetes, blood, and endocrine diseases 3361 10.37%
Liver disease 295 0.91%
Respiratory disease 1782 5.5%
Kidney disease 936 2.89%
Cardiovascular disease 8220 25.35%
Parkinson's disease 99 0.31%
Dementia 1522 4.69%
Drug use disorders 27 0.08%
Alcohol use disorders 28 0.09%
Lower respiratory infections 3325 10.25%


Major Risk Factors of Death (count) in Zimbabwe
Major Risk Factors Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Unsafe water source 6035 4.93%
Poor sanitation 4660 3.81%
No access to handwashing facility 5134 4.19%
Household air pollution 7676 6.27%
Outdoor air pollution 4552 3.72%
Non-exclusive breastfeeding 1620 1.32%
Discontinued breastfeeding 114 0.09%
Child wasting 7439 6.08%
Child stunting 1046 0.85%
Low birth weight 4950 4.04%
Secondhand smoke 1037 0.85%
Alcohol use 6975 5.7%
Drug use 1095 0.89%
Diet low in fruits 3553 2.9%
Diet low in vegetables 2192 1.79%
Unsafe sex 28264 23.08%
Low physical activity 984 0.8%
High blood sugar 8802 7.19%
High cholesterol 2385 1.95%
High body-mass index (obesity) 5401 4.41%
High blood pressure 10011 8.18%
Smoking 7360 6.01%
Iron deficiency 76 0.06%
Zinc deficiency 214 0.17%
Vitamin-A deficiency 279 0.23%
Low bone mineral density 598 0.49%


Zimbabwe - Risk of Death in Age : Under 5 years
Risk Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Discontinued breastfeeding 114 0.41%
Non-exclusive breastfeeding 1620 5.83%
Child stunting 1046 3.76%
Low birth weight 4950 17.81%
Drug use 0 0%
No access to handwashing facility 2869 10.32%
Secondhand smoke 288 1.04%
Poor sanitation 3078 11.08%
Unsafe water source 3986 14.34%
Household air pollution 1555 5.6%
Outdoor air pollution 828 2.98%
High body-mass index (obesity) 3 0.01%
High blood pressure 1 0%
High blood sugar 12 0.04%
Child wasting 7439 26.77%
Iron deficiency 0 0%


Zimbabwe - Risk of Death in Age : 5 - 14 years
Risk Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Drug use 0 0%
Alcohol use 2 0.13%
No access to handwashing facility 216 14.44%
Unsafe water source 295 19.72%
Unsafe sex 433 28.94%
Iron deficiency 75 5.01%
Secondhand smoke 23 1.54%
Household air pollution 131 8.76%
Outdoor air pollution 67 4.48%
High body-mass index (obesity) 2 0.13%
High blood sugar 23 1.54%
High blood pressure 1 0.07%
Poor sanitation 227 15.17%
Iron deficiency 1 0.07%


Zimbabwe - Risk of Death in Age : 15 - 49 years
Risk Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Iron deficiency 75 0.19%
Low bone mineral density 37 0.09%
Drug use 718 1.83%
Alcohol use 3810 9.71%
No access to handwashing facility 707 1.8%
Unsafe water source 748 1.91%
Poor sanitation 576 1.47%
Smoking 1439 3.67%
Secondhand smoke 143 0.36%
Low physical activity 65 0.17%
Diet low in fruits 782 1.99%
Diet low in vegetables 437 1.11%
Unsafe sex 23675 60.32%
High body-mass index (obesity) 1206 3.07%
Household air pollution 1240 3.16%
Outdoor air pollution 742 1.89%
High total cholesterol 303 0.77%
High blood pressure 1234 3.14%
High blood sugar 1312 3.34%


Zimbabwe - Risk of Death in Age : 50 - 69 years
Risk Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Iron deficiency 0 0%
Low bone mineral density 117 0.47%
Drug use 220 0.88%
Alcohol use 2160 8.6%
No access to handwashing facility 505 2.01%
Poor sanitation 280 1.11%
Unsafe sex 3370 13.41%
Smoking 2834 11.28%
Secondhand smoke 249 0.99%
Unsafe water source 363 1.44%
Diet low in vegetables 770 3.06%
Diet low in fruits 1346 5.36%
Low physical activity 265 1.05%
Outdoor air pollution 1181 4.7%
Household air pollution 1901 7.56%
High body-mass index (obesity) 2413 9.6%
High blood sugar 3082 12.26%
High total cholesterol 837 3.33%
High blood pressure 3237 12.88%


Zimbabwe - Risk of Death in Age : 70+ years
Risk Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Iron deficiency 0 0%
Low bone mineral density 443 1.56%
Drug use 157 0.55%
Alcohol use 1002 3.53%
Smoking 3087 10.88%
Secondhand smoke 334 1.18%
Household air pollution 2849 10.04%
Outdoor air pollution 1733 6.11%
No access to handwashing facility 837 2.95%
Poor sanitation 497 1.75%
Unsafe water source 644 2.27%
Unsafe sex 786 2.77%
Low physical activity 654 2.31%
Diet low in vegetables 985 3.47%
Diet low in fruits 1425 5.02%
High cholesterol 1244 4.39%
High blood pressure 5538 19.52%
High blood sugar 4373 15.42%
High body-mass index (obesity) 1778 6.27%


Zimbabwe - Number of Deaths by Cancer Type
Cancer Type Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Liver cancer Patients : 1411 | Deaths : 467 33.1%
Breast cancer Patients : 4351 | Deaths : 892 20.5%
Larynx cancer Patients : 356 | Deaths : 165 46.35%
Kidney cancer Patients : 681 | Deaths : 67 9.84%
Thyroid cancer Patients : 634 | Deaths : 127 20.03%
Ovarian cancer Patients : 923 | Deaths : 274 29.69%
Stomach cancer Patients : 970 | Deaths : 916 94.43%
Uterine cancer Patients : 947 | Deaths : 250 26.4%
Bladder cancer Patients : 1421 | Deaths : 454 31.95%
Cervical cancer Patients : 7312 | Deaths : 1632 22.32%
Prostate cancer Patients : 3955 | Deaths : 1533 38.76%
Testicular cancer Patients : 67 | Deaths : 16 23.88%
Pancreatic cancer Patients : 455 | Deaths : 218 47.91%
Esophageal cancer Patients : 1254 | Deaths : 855 68.18%
Nasopharynx cancer Patients : 116 | Deaths : 31 26.72%
Colon & rectum cancer Patients : 1707 | Deaths : 800 46.87%
Non-melanoma skin cancer Patients : 223 | Deaths : 58 26.01%
Lip & oral cancer Patients : 546 | Deaths : 106 19.41%
Brain & nervous system cancer Patients : 515 | Deaths : 263 51.07%
Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer Patients : 560 | Deaths : 98 17.5%
Gallbladder & biliary tract cancer Patients : 48 | Deaths : 38 79.17%


Zimbabwe - Number of Deaths due to Cancer - Age Wise
Age Number of Deaths % of Total Deaths
Under-5s 685 2.85%
5-14 year olds 186 0.77%
15-49 year olds 6830 28.39%
50-69 year olds 9255 38.48%
70+ year olds 7098 29.51%


Source :
http://www.gapminder.org/data/documentation/gd004/
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWDRS/Resources/477365-1327525347307/8392086-1327528510568/WDR09_bookweb_1.pdf

-->