|
|||
|
|
|
The total population of Trinidad and Tobago is estimated at 1,305,000 in 2005, of which 76.2% live in urban areas. [1] Women represent 50.7% of the total population. [2] In the year 2004, 381,000 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 had ups and downs during the period 1970 to date, but overall it followed a downward trend and is currently approaching zero growth (Figure 1).
The latest year for which detailed mortality data from Trinidad and Tobago are available in the PAHO mortality database is 1997. During the period 1995-1997 the estimated (crude) death rate increased slightly among women as well as men (Figure 2).
The gross national income per capita (PPP value) was US$10,390 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 2000-2001, and private expenditure was 2.8% (excluding health insurance) in 2004. [5] The entire population has access to sanitation services; access to improved water sources is quite high but has not yet reached 100%, and remains better in urban than in rural areas (Figure 3).
Among the population aged 15 years and over, literacy was 98.8% in 2005; male literacy was 99.2% and female literacy, 98.3%. [6] The gross enrollment rate for the primary level is estimated to be roughly 100% for both sexes, but secondary enrollment has not yet reached that level for either sex and is better among women than men (Figure 4).
In 2005, life expectancy at birth was 72.7 years for women and 67.4 years for men. [10] Recent demographic estimates found that, during the period since 1970, the gap between male and female life expectancy was as high as 6.6 years greater life expectancy for women; for the 2005-2010 quinquennium this gap will be 4.8 years (Figure 5).
In 2002, the estimated incidence rates of malignant neoplasms of breast and cervix were quite high among women (see table).
n.a.= not applicable The prevalence of tobacco consumption in the population 13-15 years of age was 12% among women and 20% among men (2000). Prevalence data on obesity in the population 15 to 49 years old are available for Mount Hope only (urban): 7% among women and 9% among men (2001). Age-specific death rates, in 1997, were higher among men than women in all age groups (Figure 6).
The infant mortality rate was 18.5 per 1,000 live births in 2001. [12]
When broad groups of causes of death were considered it was found that, in 1997, communicable diseases and external causes were the main causes of mortality among children 1 to 4 years old (Figure 7). External causes were also a major concern regarding mortality among children 5 to 14 years of age, although considerably more so among males than females (Figure 7).
Among the population 15 to 44 years of age, as well as those at ages 45 to 64 years, the male death rate due to external causes was over 4 times the female rate (Figure 8). However, at ages 45 to 64, male and female death rates due to diseases of the circulatory system greatly exceeded the rates due to communicable diseases, neoplasms, and external causes. Malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs and peritoneum are an important element within total mortality due to neoplasms, among both men and women. At ages 45 to 64 years, the male death rate in 1997 due to malignant neoplasms of this site was 58 per 100,000 and the female rate, 42. Together with uterus (41 per 100,000 women) and breast (50), these three sites of malignant neoplasms contributed two-thirds of the total mortality from 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. Among women at ages 45 to 64 years, the magnitude of mortality due to malignant neoplasms of uterus and breast, jointly, was similar to that from cerebrovascular diseases; however, diabetes and ischemic heart disease were far greater problems at these ages (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 Trinidad and Tobago due to each of these causes were far greater than those for females (Figure 11).
In 2004 the total fertility rate in Trinidad and Tobago was 1.6 children per woman. [14] Adolescent pregnancy is one of several reproductive risk categories; [15] it constitutes a barrier that can prevent women from developing capabilities to help them achieve the resources necessary for their well-being. In Trinidad and Tobago, in 2004, 4% of adolescents 15 to 19 years old gave birth; among women 35 to 49 years, 1% gave birth to a child. [16] There were 7 maternal deaths in 2001. [17] There has been an increasing trend in the number of AIDS cases reported annually since the beginning of the epidemic in Trinidad and Tobago, among women as well as men (Figure 12). A total of 16 cases were reported for which the sex is unknown (2 in 1996, 2 in 1998, 9 in 2001, 3 in 2002); they are not included in the figure. [18] In September 2005 there were 1,498 people under treatment with antiretroviral drugs; [19] an estimated 4,700 people 15 to 49 years old needed such treatment in 2004. [20]
Among women aged 15 to 49 years who are currently married or currently partnered, 33% use modern methods of family planning and another 5% use other methods. [21]
In 2001, 99.5% of all births were attended by trained personnel and 90.4% 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, 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, http://www.paho.org (December 2005). [14] PAHO/GE. Gender, Health and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, DC, 2005. [15] Reproductive risk factors: mother’s age less than 20 years and over 34 years; birth interval less than 24 months; birth order greater than 3. [16] PAHO/GE. Gender, Health and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, DC, 2005. [17] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005 . Washington, DC, 2005. [18] PAHO AI and National Aids Program. [19] Ibid. [20] UNAIDS/WHO. [21] PAHO/GE. Gender, Health and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005. Washington, DC, 2005. [22] PAHO/AIS. Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005 . Washington, DC, 2005. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: United Nations.
World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision
. New York, 2005.
Source: PAHO/AIS. Technical Information System. Table Generator. (December 2005)
Source: PAHO/AIS.
Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2005
. Washington, DC, 2005.
Source: UNESCO.
Source: United Nations.
World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision
. New York, 2005.
Source: PAHO/AIS. Technical Information System. Table Generator. (December 2005)
Source: Based on data from: PAHO/AIS. Technical Information System. Table Generator. (December 2005)
Source: Idem.
Source: Idem. 
Source: Idem. 
Source: Idem. 
Source: Idem. 
Source: Idem.
Source: PAHO/AI and National AIDS Program.