Comparative Health Statistics - Tanzania and United Kingdom

When I initially decided that I would create a blog about my experiences of travelling to Tanzania, I thought that it might be quite interesting to compare the statistics from the World Health Organisation: between the United Kingdom and Tanzania.

I feel that this helps to give some perspective concerning the potential issues that I might face whilst working in Tanzania, for example a greater prevalence of infectious diseases – such as TB and HIV – amongst other issues.

I was interested in sharing these statistics – however in a bit more of an interesting-way than plaintext – I have therefore created this 'infographic-of-sorts' to present the information. I must admit that my creative-skills are not the best, but I hope that you appreciate my effort!

You may find the source of these statistics:

• United Kingdom – http://www.who.int/countries/gbr/en/
• United Republic of Tanzania – http://www.who.int/countries/tza/en/

HIV Epidemic: Initial Research

I must admit that I am stickler for TED talks, therefore as part of my research I headed to their website and simply searched 'Tanzania', leading me to this interesting talk concerning the prevalence of HIV in African nations.

What I particularly enjoyed, is how the speaker helps to dispel the idea of Africa 'the country'. A concept-of-sorts, which is particularly present within those in my generation; but I imagine that the issue is more widespread (I am looking at you Sarah Palin). The argument that Rosling takes for dispelling this notion of a single Africa, is that whilst it is true there are many African nations with the highest levels of HIV worldwide; some have the same percentage infected as the United States.

Furthermore, he goes on to describe Tanzania in some greater detail: breaking the infection rates down between income brackets. Perhaps surprisingly demonstrating that it is the  wealthiest Tanzanians that have the highest infection rates, which might suggest that it is not poverty that drives infection rates. However it is acknowledged in the context of other African nations, that the 'poor' are more liable to die from the disease through lack of access to drug-care that others might receive.

The overall arching theme is that prevention is key to helping 'beat' HIV, rather than simply having access to the drug-treatments and living with the disease. Though perhaps with the developments of the last few days, we may at least be on the edge of curing those born with the disease. 

Via this post I am more than confident to say that I am demonstrating my naïvety about this humungous issue, but it is something that I am interested to learn more about. Both in the context of Tanzania, for the purpose of the work that I shall be doing there,  but also as I develop my interest in global health issues.

I therefore intend to research and post more on the topic of HIV, especially if have any experiences with HIV/AIDS patients whilst I am working in Tanzania. As my exposure to patients with the virus is fairly limited from my placements in a District General in the English Shires.