Showing papers by "Debbie Bradshaw published in 1992"

The impact of chronic diseases of lifestyle and their major risk factors on mortality in South Africa.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of chronic diseases of lifestyle on the mortality pattern of South Africans and to estimate the number of South Africans affected by major risk factors for these diseases. The proportion of deaths due to chronic diseases of lifestyle was calculated from the deaths reported to the Central Statistical Services. This group of diseases was responsible for 24.5% of deaths of all South Africans and 28.5% of those aged 35-64 years whose deaths were reported in 1988. The major causes of death contributing to these figures were cerebrovascular diseases (7.2% of all deaths and 7.9% of deaths of persons aged 35-64 years) and ischaemic heart disease (8.7% of all deaths and 9.6% of deaths of persons aged 35-64 years). The age-standardised prevalence rates for the major risk factors reported in five cross-sectional studies in different areas and groups are compared. Estimates from the reported prevalence rates, based on the size of the South African population recorded in the 1985 census figures, were calculated for the major risk factors. Overall 4.88 million South Africans smoked, the largest group of smokers being black males (2.6 million). for hypertension 5.5 million South Africans had blood pressures above 140/90 mmHg; again the largest groups were blacks (3.0 million). For hypercholesterolaemia and raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, 4.8 million and 3.1 million South Africans respectively had an increased risk for ischaemic heart disease, blacks having the lowest levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The level of mortality in South Africa in 1985--what does it tell us about health?

Abstract: South African mortality data are inadequate for health planning. Estimates of mortality levels in blacks for 1985, derived using indirect demographic techniques, have provided an opportunity to analyse South African mortality in a health context. The infant mortality rate (IMR) for the population as a whole was 64/1,000 live births in 1985, which is high when compared with those of other countries. The IMR varied between population groups and was highest in blacks (males 73, females 68) and lowest in whites (males 11, females 7). Adult mortality rates, measured in terms of the chance of a 15-year-old dying before reaching the age of 60, ranged from 42.8% for black males and 29.4% for black females, to 21.8% and 11.5% for white males and females respectively. Life expectancy at birth of black males and females was 55 and 61 years respectively, while for white males and females it was 68 and 76 years respectively. Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death in blacks under 5 years of age, while trauma, poverty-related diseases and chronic diseases related to lifestyle all contribute to the high levels of adult mortality in this group. Prevention and health promotion strategies focusing on these as well as HIV/AIDS must be incorporated in a primary health care strategy to reduce premature mortality. Most importantly, it is crucial to improve the registration system that is vital to facilitate ongoing evaluation.