Mechanisms of racial inequalities in prevalence of diarrhoea in South Africa.
J Health Popul Nutr
;
2003 Sep; 21(3): 264-72
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-858
ABSTRACT
Decades of apartheid policies have resulted in marked racial inequalities in health in South Africa. The blackwhite rate ratio of diarrhoea among children aged less than five years, one of the five most common causes of infant and child deaths, stood at 6.5 in 1998. Using data from the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey, this paper examines the mechanisms of this racial disparity. The research confirms the presence of persistent racial inequalities in access to safe drinking-water and sanitation and in maternal education and household wealth, with the black population constituting the most disadvantaged group. While the living environment and access to safe drinking-water explain the excessive risk of diarrhoea among the black population compared to the coloured and Indian populations, the excessive risk of diarrhoea among the black population compared to the white population cannot be explained by disparities in the living environment, hygiene levels, and socioeconomic factors.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Poverty
/
Prejudice
/
Socioeconomic Factors
/
South Africa
/
Water Supply
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Infant, Newborn
/
Child, Preschool
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Health Popul Nutr
Journal subject:
Gastroenterology
/
Nutritional Sciences
/
Public Health
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
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