Report on the public health / Southern Rhodesia.

  • Southern Rhodesia. Department of Health.
Date:
[1935]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the public health / Southern Rhodesia. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/42 (page 4)
    5. Pneumonia and Bronchitis.—Pneumonia and Bronchitis, like Cancer, show a slightly higher case rate, but the percentage of total deaths is slightly lower than the previous year. The increased incidence of these two diseases is correlated with the unusually inclement weather of last year. 6. Nervous Disease.—The majority of deaths from nervous disease were due to Cerebral Haemorrhage. 7. Tuberculosis.—The number of deaths from Tuberculosis was higher this year than last, but most of these deaths were due to the gradual progression of long-standing infections contracted outside this Colony. (4) Infant Mortality. In 1935 there were 58 deaths of European infants under one year of age corresponding to the low infant mortality rate of 48 per thousand. In addition, 18 still-births, also a very low figure, were registered. It is generally accepted that the infant mortality rate is a reliable index of social conditions and, there¬ fore, it is most satisfactory to compare the rate of Southern Rhodesia with the much higher rates of England and Wales and of the Union, as indicated in the table below:— European Infant Mortality Rates, 1921-1935. Southern Union of England Rhodesia. South Africa. and Wales. 1921-30 (average) . 63 70 72 1930 . 45 67 60 1931 . 45 63 66 1932 . 55 69 65 1933 . 55 61 64 1934 . 45 61 59 1935 . . 48 Not available Not available It is, nevertheless, necessary to point out that we are still losing a number of valuable infant lives each year from causes which are definitely preventable and which should be prevented. Causes of Infant Deaths for Ten Years, 1926-1935. Disease. No. of deaths. Percentage. Premature birth and diseases of early infancy 248 42.03 Bronchitis and Pneumonia . 69 11.70 Diarrhoea and enteritis . 75 12.71 Malaria. 54 9.15 Measles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria, Dysentery . 40 6.78 Various, not classified above. 104 17.63 Totals . . 590 100.00 Infant Deaths during Different Months, 1926-1935. No. of deaths. Percentage. First month . 289 48.98 Two months to six months. 176 29.83 Six months to twelve months . 125 21.19 Totals. 590 100.00 Neonatal deaths, i.e., deaths of babies within the first month of life, are responsible for nearly half of this rate. Improved attention before and at the time of birth can reduce this mortality. A scheme has been placed before Government, which, if approved, should go far to reduce the incidence of infant mortality in the coming years. It will be noted that other important causes of infant mortality are bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhoea, enteritis and malaria. Such diseases can be, to a great extent, prevented by a wider distribution of the knowledge of the hygiene of infant life. Under the scheme proposed, means will be taken to ensure this end. The Municipality of Salisbury, again with wise prevision, are extending their scheme of maternity and child welfare and this year are taking over the whole of the work of the Child Welfare Society in order to co-ordinate its activities under one head and to extend its purposes.