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The total population of Guyana is estimated at 751,000 in 2005, of which 38.5% live in urban areas. [1] Women represent 51.5% of the total population. [2] In the year 2004, 222,000 women were 15 to 49 years old, that is, around 58% of the total number of women. [3] The average annual rate of growth of the population has fluctuated considerably from 1970 to date, but has hovered around 0% throughout the entire period (Figure 1).
The most recent year for which mortality data from Guyana are available by sex, age, and cause of death is 1997. During the period 1995-1997 the estimated (crude) death rate increased slightly, among males as well as females (Figure 2).
The gross national income per capita (PPP value) was US$3,980 in 2003. [4] Data are not available as to the ratio between the income of the population with the 20% highest and the population with the 20% lowest income. Public expenditure on health was 2.1% of gross domestic product in 2000. [5] Data on private expenditure are not available. In 2002, access to improved water sources was fairly high and was the same in urban and rural areas, although coverage was not complete; much improvement is still needed as to sanitation services in rural areas (Figure 3).
Among the population aged 15 years and over, literacy was 99.0% in 2005; male literacy was 99.2% and female literacy, 98.7%. [6] The gross enrollment rate at the primary level was quite high in 2002-2003 for both sexes, but it was a lot lower for the secondary level, especially among males (Figure 4).
In 2005, life expectancy at birth was 67.4 years for women and 61.3 years for men. [10] Recent demographic estimates have found that, while longevity has improved for both sexes, the increase has been greater among women and, by the 2005-2010 quinquennium, female life expectancy at birth will exceed male life expectancy by 6.1 years (Figure 5).
For the year 2002, the estimated incidence rates for malignant neoplasms of cervix and female breast were particularly high (see table).
n.a.= not applicable The prevalence of tobacco consumption in the population 13-15 years of age was 11% among women and 21% among men (2000). Prevalence data on obesity are not available.
Age-specific death rates in 1997, due to all causes combined, were found to be higher for males than females in each and every age group (Figure 6).
The infant mortality rate was 17.5 per 1,000 live births in 2003. [12]
When broad groups of causes of death were considered it was found that, in 1997, communicable diseases were major causes of mortality at ages 1 to 4 years, and external causes were especially important in mortality among children 5 to 14 years old (Figure 7).
Among those 15 to 44 years old, as well as the population aged 45 to 64 years, the male death rate due to external causes was over 4 times the female rate. However, at ages 45 to 64 the male and female death rates due to diseases of the circulatory system far exceeded the rates due to external causes. An important element within mortality due to neoplasms, among men and women, is that due to malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs and peritoneum. In the age group 45 to 64 years, the male death rate in 1997 due to this cause was 60 per 100,000 and the female rate, 32. Malignant neoplasms of this site, along with uterus (47 per 100,000 women) and breast (31), together accounted for over two-thirds of the total mortality due to neoplasms among women in this age group. [13] Ischemic heart disease, as well as cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, are major causes of death among adults 45 years and over of either sex, and especially adults 65 years and over. The amount of female mortality caused by malignant neoplasms of uterus and breast is dwarfed by that due to any of these three causes, at ages 45 to 64 years and also at 65 years and older (Figures 9 and 10).
Accidents, suicide and homicide are all included in the grouping external causes of death . In 1997, the male death rates in Guyana due to each of these causes were several times greater than those for females (Figure 11).
In 2004 the total fertility rate in Guyana was 2.3 children per woman. [14] Adolescent pregnancy is one of several reproductive risk categories; [15] it constitutes a barrier that can prevent women from developing those capabilities that help them achieve the resources necessary for well-being. In Guyana, in 2004, 7% of adolescents 15 to 19 years old gave birth; among women 35 to 49 years, 2% gave birth to a child. [16] The maternal mortality ratio was 123.6 per 100,000 live births in 2003. [17] A rising trend is seen in the number of AIDS cases reported annually in Guyana since 1987, among men as well as women (Figure 12). However, starting in 2001, the sex breakdown is not available for a number of cases (18 in 2001; 26 in 2002; 55 in 2003). [18] In September 2005 there were 756 people under treatment with antiretroviral drugs; [19] it is estimated that, in 2004, 1,900 people 15 to 49 years needed such treatment. [20]
Among women aged 15 to 49 years who are currently married or partnered, 36% use modern methods of family planning and another 1% use other methods. [21]
In 2003, 94.0% of all births were attended by trained personnel and 90.0% of pregnant women received at least one consultation for prenatal care, provided by a trained health worker. [22] Although this subject is an essential element in analyzing gender-based inequalities related to the participation of women and men in the health sector, the statistics that would allow such analyses are not currently available.
[1] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, DC, 2005. [2] Based on data from: PAHO/AIS. Technical Information System. Table Generator. http://www.paho.org , 26 January 2006. [3] PAHO/GE. Gender, Health and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, DC, 2005. [4] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005 . Washington, DC, 2005. [5] Ibid. [6] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005 . Washington, DC, 2005. [7] PAHO/GE. Gender, Health and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, DC, 2005. [8] United Nations. Division for the Advancement of Women, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw , 27 March 2006. [9] United Nations. Population Policy Data Bank, Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/doc , 27 March 2006. [10] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005 . Washington, DC, 2005. [11] PAHO/GE. Gender, Health and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, 2005. [12] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005 . Washington, DC, 2005. [13] The data in this paragraph are from: PAHO/AIS. Technical Information System. Table Generator, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Based on data from: PAHO/AIS. Technical Information System. Table Generator. (December 2005)
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