Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Inequalities in levels of health between regions within a country are frequently regarded \n \nas a problem. Zimbabwe is characterised by poor and unequal conditions of health (both the state of \npeople’s health and health services). The health system of the country shows severe spatial \ninequalities that are manifested at provincial, district and even local levels. This research \ntherefore examines and analyses the spatial inequalities and temporal variation of health \nconditions in Zimbabwe. Composite indices were used to determine the people’s state of health in \nZimbabwe. Administrative districts were ranked according to the level of people’s state of health. \nCluster analysis was also performed to demarcate administrative districts according the level \nof health service provision. Districts with minimum difference were demarcated in a single \ncluster. Clusters were delineated using data on patterns of diseases and health and such clusters \nwere used to demarcate the country’s spatial health system according to the Adapted \nEpidemiological Transition Model. This was used to evaluate the applicability of the model to \nZimbabwe. It emerged from the research that generally the country’s health conditions are poor and \nthe health system is characterised by severe spatial inequalities. Some districts are experiencing \npoor health service provision and serious health challenges and are still in the age of pestilence \nand famine but others have good health service provision as well as highly developed health \nconditions and are in the age degenerative diseases of the epidemiological transition model. It \nfurther emerged that the country’s health has been evolving with signs of improvement since the \n1990s. Recommendations were made regarding possible adjustment to previous strategies and policies \nused in Zimbabwe, for the development of the health system of the country. New strategies were also \nrecommended for the improvement of the health system of the country. Some proposals \nare made for further research on the spatial development of health in the country.
Author: Evans Chazireni
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1825932537