Feeds   
The official languages are Haitian Creole and French, the latter being used to a large extent in the cities. The population in 2000, based on the census of 1982, was estimated at 7,958,964 for a density of 282 inhabitants per km2. The estimated annual population growth rate during 1995-2000 was 2.1%. Sixty-four percent of the people live in the countryside, 21% in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, and 15% in other urban areas. Forty percent of the Haitian population is under 15 years old, and only 5% is over 65. The population dynamic has been characterized by a progressive urbanization, emigration to countries abroad and a shifting population toward the neighboring Dominican Republic.
A sizable percentage of professionals and qualified technicians
contribute to the Haitian diaspora, especially the United States (Florida and
New York), Canada and neighboring islands. The monthly remittances sent to families
in Haiti account for 8.3% of household income. The crude birth rate was 33 per
1,000 population, and the general fertility rate was 4.4 children per woman.
Life expectancy at birth was 54.4 years for the general population (52.8 for
men, 56 for women). Since 1997, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP)
and PAHO have been promoting the certification of deaths. In 1999, a total of
7,997 death certificates were issued, believed to represent 10% of all deaths.
Although almost half the certificates show ill-defined causes of death, the
information gained allowed a mortality profile to be defined. Communicable diseases
headed the list, representing 37.5% of deaths presenting a defined diagnosis.
The second most important group was diseases of the circulatory system. External
causes ranked third (4.3%) and neoplasms were in fourth place (2.7%). In terms
of specific causes of death, AIDS ranked first, with 5.2% of the total deaths,
followed by diarrhea and infectious gastroenteritis (5%) and cerebrovascular
accidents (3.5%). Of the 10 leading causes of death in women, the first three
coincide with the general pattern, but maternal causes come fourth, with 157
deaths. Specific health problems Schoolchildren (5-9 years): An estimated 20% of the group
under 15 years old are in a state of vulnerability, i.e. living in poverty,
undernourished, with limited access to education, residing in foster homes where
they do domestic work (a situation referred to as restavek), or else in the
street. In the age group 5-14 years, infectious and parasitic diseases accounted
for 24% of the registered deaths. External causes represented 10% of all causes
of death. Adolescents (10-14 and 15-19 years): According to death
certificates for 1999, adolescents and youth accounted for 8% of the deaths
in the country. HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death in this age group (5.8%
of all certified deaths). Among the 10 leading specific causes of death on this
population group were assault and homicide, tuberculosis, typhoid, and causes
related to maternity (35 maternal deaths in the age group 10-24 years in 1999).
The fertility rate in girls aged 15-19 years was 80 per 1,000 in 2000. The prevalence
of sexually transmitted infections in adolescent males 15-19 years old was 9.9%.
In one survey, 18% of the females and 33% of males stated that they had used
a condom in their last sexual encounter. Violence and sexual abuse are very
frequent in this population group (70% of adolescent girls and women have been
exposed to violence of some sort). Adults (20-59 years): The fertility rate is in decline,
estimated at 4.7 children per woman in 2000. Of all women with a regular partner
in 2000, 22% were using a modern method of contraception and 5.8% a traditional
method. AIDS is the leading cause of death for the population 15-49 years of
age (21.6% of deaths with specifically defined diagnosis). Intestinal infections
come second and maternal causes rank third. The maternal mortality rate in 2000
was 523 per 100,000 live births, a 15% increase relative to 1995. Maternal causes
of death included problems related to arterial hypertension and eclampsia, as
well as complications of labor. Seventy-eight percent of pregnant women had
prenatal checkups with a health professional in 2000. The Elderly (60 years and older): There is no definite
social security policy for this population group, nor specific health programs
for older adults despite efforts by the State. In 1999 the causes of death were
mainly noncommunicable diseases. Diseases of the circulatory system accounted
for 39% of the deaths with a valid diagnosis. Malignant neoplasms of the digestive
organs, along with tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, were among the 10 leading specific
causes of death. Family health: Constant displacement and migration abroad
are causing the family structure to break down in urban and rural areas. There
are no programs geared to family health. Workers’ health: The informal sector (mainly women)
and the agricultural sector make up 96% of the working class. No services are
provided for this informal sector. Government workers have a poorly organized
insurance system, while the health of employees in the private sector comes
under the responsibility of the Office of Medical Insurance and Maternity. In
1999-2000, the indemnity for temporary incapacity or permanent disability was
paid to 559 persons, 90% of them men. The disabled: It was estimated in 1998 that 7% of the Haitian
population had some form of disability, half of them occurring in children under
15 years of age. Blindness was the most frequent disability (1% of the population).
Border population: A socioeconomic survey conducted in
communities of sugar cane workers in the Dominican Republic showed that 27.5%
of the mothers stated that they were of Haitian or Dominican-Haitian origin.
The survey found that 20% of children under 5 years with Haitian mothers were
suffering from moderate or severe malnutrition. By type of health problem Vector-borne diseases: Plasmodium falciparum malaria is
endemic, causing 59 deaths in 1999 (with 90% underregistration and data from
only 4 departments) and a total of 973 cases reported to the MSPP. Epidemiological
data are insufficient to estimate the magnitude of the dengue problem in Haiti,
but in 2000, 59 clinical cases of dengue were reported. The Aedes aegypti vector
is present throughout the country. Lymphatic filariasis is widespread in urban
areas, especially in the Department of the North. In some cities of the North
and of the Center, the rate of microfilaria carriers exceeds 30%. Diseases preventable by immunization: As a result of the
discontinuation of vaccination efforts during 1995-1999, an epidemic of measles
occurred in the city of Gonaïves in March 2000 (990 confirmed cases, most
of them in the area of Port-au-Prince, during that year). Despite immediate
vaccination efforts, cases were confirmed in various municipalities. By the
end of 2000, measles vaccination coverage had reached 75% in the country. Unsatisfactory
vaccination coverage resulted in a case of acute flaccid paralysis reported
in 2000 in a 2-year-old girl. Virologic studies identified a poliovirus derived
from the Sabin type 1 vaccine. Seven more cases occurred in 2001, the last one
in July. Vaccination coverage after the epidemic was 100%. Eight cases of diphtheria
were reported in 1999, and 60 cases of neonatal tetanus in 2000. However, the
true number of cases is thought to be greater.
Intestinal infectious diseases: Diarrhea and gastroenteritis
are the second leading cause of death in the general population, especially
in children. Typhoid accounted for 67 registered deaths in 1999, although it
is not subject to surveillance. Chronic communicable diseases: In 1999, the estimated prevalence
of tuberculosis - the sixth most important cause of death in the country - was
114 per 100,000 population. The network of health services observing the WHO
DOTS strategy is incipient. The AIDS epidemic has aggravated the tuberculosis
situation. It can be said that leprosy is still endemic in Haiti, although its
true prevalence is not known. Acute respiratory infections: According to the 1999 death
certificates, there were 209 deaths attributable to acute respiratory infections,
97 of them in children under 5 years of age. Zoonoses: During 1995-2000 there were 22 reported cases
of human rabies and 44 cases of laboratory-confirmed canine rabies, most of
them in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Prevention measures such as canine
vaccination have been stepped up. Anthrax is endemic in the departments of the
North, Southeast, and the Artibonite, but no data is available. HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections: HIV/AIDS
infection affects 4.5% of the Haitian population. It is estimated that every
year there are some 13,000 pregnant women who are HIV-positive, and that 30%
of their children will be born with the infection. In 2000, a study showed prevalence
rates in pregnant women of 5.6% for syphilis and 3.8% for hepatitis B. In 1999-2000,
the screening of prospective blood donors showed that 1.4% were positive for
HIV, 3.6% for hepatitis B, 0.1% for hepatitis C, and 0.8% for syphilis. Nutritional and metabolic diseases: According to a survey,
overall malnutrition in 1995 was 67.3%. Malnutrition ranks eighth among the
causes of general mortality, 76% of cases being in children under 5. Prevalence
of anemia is believed to be high. A 1997 study of household and maternal determinants
of vitamin A and iron status showed severe stunting in 31% of the sample, and
wasting in 4%. Ninety-two percent had vitamin A deficiency. Numerous foci of
iodine deficiency have been found and cases of cretinism reported. In 2000,
the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding for 0-5 months was 49% and non-exclusive
breast-feeding 99%. Diseases of the circulatory system: Cerebrovascular diseases
are the third leading specific cause of death; other cardiopathies are in fifth
place and arterial hypertension in eleventh place. There are more registered
deaths among females than males. Malignant neoplasms: They correspond to 2.5% of registered
deaths with a certified diagnosis. In 1999, there were 196 cases of malignant
neoplasms (111 in females and 85 in males), the malignant tumors of the digestive
tract heading the list (66 cases), followed by those of the male genital organs
(33). This information is not conclusive because of sizable underregistration.
Accidents and violence: They contribute significantly to
morbidity and mortality in Haiti, especially in the economically active population
and among adolescents and youth. In 1999, there were 98 deaths due to transport
accidents (12th place among all causes of mortality) and 70 deaths due to assault
with a firearm (16th place). Oral health: Surveys in small localities have found a 37%
prevalence of caries in 12-year-olds in the city of Jérémie. It
revealed that in 1996, 50% to 79% of the adults had at least one missing tooth
and only 1% of the 17-59 years of age had teeth with fillings. Emerging and re-emerging diseases: In 1999, there were
56 cases of meningococcal meningitis with a case-fatality rate ranging between
20 and 30%. The response of the health system Health sector reform strategies and programs The health System Organization of Health Regulatory Actions Environmental quality: As 71% of the energy consumed in
the country comes from wood and charcoal, only 3% of the land area is covered
by natural forests, causing soil erosion and clogging urban sewers with mud.
In dwellings, coal smoke causes many respiratory problems, especially in children.
Inadequate management of excreta and household refuse causes contamination of
surface waters. Organization of public health care services Disease prevention and Control Programs: High priority
is given to AIDS and tuberculosis control, through networks with NGOs, public
and private institutions. A program for feeding schoolchildren and the control
of parasitoses was initiated in 2000. Health analysis, epidemiological surveillance, public health
laboratory systems: The health sector has no established health information
system that would generate a culture of use and analysis of information. A strategic
plan for the development of epidemiology was designed in November 2000, with
6 lines of action to remedy this deficiency. Potable water and excreta disposal services: Access to
water for human consumption is a major problem in Haiti. The Metropolitan Autonomous
Station for Potable Water is the State enterprise responsible for the distribution
of potable water. In 1999, the potable water supply system reached 47% of the
population in the Port-au-Prince area, 46% in secondary cities, and 48% in rural
areas. In 1999, coverage with excreta disposal systems was 44% in urban areas
and 18% in rural areas. There is no control of hospital waste. Food safety: The Ministry of Agriculture has a food control
laboratory, but only for monitoring purposes. It is impossible to exercise any
control over the sale of prepared food sold in the street. Food aid programs: It is estimated that 159,000 tons of
food aid was received by Haiti in 1994 (68% from the US) and programs are carried
out mainly by NGOs. Organization of Individual Health Services Health supplies Human resources Health Research and Technology Health sector expenditure and financing External Technical Cooperation and Financing Return to Index
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