You are about to read the 4 Most Shocking Reasons Why People Die Easily in Africa.
Some international research organizations have been able to monitor Africa’s growth. This is in terms of its population, considering the high birth rates. The statistics of these organizations show clearly that Africa is indeed growing. Population increases also have their advantages and disadvantages. An increase in population could mean an increase in workforce and productivity. It could also mean a shortage of common amenities and many things.
On daily basis, gatekeepers of the world’s economy calculate birth rates. This enables them to regulate and make new policies. In the news, it’s all about how our population is exploding. No one is talking about how we easily die because of some factors.
‘No one will grow and transform into a stone, according to an adage in Ghana. This means that no matter who you are you will die. Death is something that no one can escape. No matter how old you get, you will surely die. Yes, you will but when and how depends on a lot of factors.
Can Africa control its death rate?
You may be wondering why this article is going to discuss the 4 most shocking reasons why people die easily in Africa. I know you are wondering why it’s not general but limited to Africa. It is that way because everyone seems to predict birth rates without considering death rates. Can we say Africans are vulnerable dwellers on this planet? Maybe this question is rhetorical but I may say a big NO if I am asked.
Africa is capable and can become anything they wish. It’s by choice that the continent is how it is. We can blame it on stronger forces from other parts or even colonial masters but it’s simply our choice.
I know the title of this article may have appeared to you before. If not currently then previously. In your community or town, there are funerals every weekend. You would bear with me that it wasn’t so in the past years. Many people wonder why it is so. I have thought of this carefully to raise critical points in discussing the topic.
Below are the 4 Most Shocking Reasons Why People Die Easily in Africa.
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Diseases and Infections:
I would like to treat disease and infections as the first point. You would ask why it is a point to raise. This is because everyone around the globe can fall sick and it may lead to death. Yes, you are right for thinking that way. If that is the case, then what is the reason behind this point in this discussion?
Disease and infection have been the major cause of simple death in Africa. It is no news because it has been part of human history. Diseases and infections are the reasons behind most deaths in the African continent.
According to the World Health Organization ( WHO), chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes kill more than 15 million people a year. These people are between the ages of 30 to 69. Chronic non-infectious are on the rise in Africa. The WHO says between half and 88% of deaths across seven countries in Africa are caused by chronic diseases. Non-infectious diseases in the seven most populated countries cause between 100,000 and 450,000 deaths yearly. (1√)
Not only non-communicable diseases are wiping away the workforce of Africa. Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and hepatitis have also contributed massively to the death rates in Africa.
According to SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES, around 36.7 million people worldwide are infected with HIV in addition to 2.1 million children. More than two-thirds of new HIV infections worldwide are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Around 25.5 million infected people live in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2016, there were 730,000 AIDS-related deaths in the region. 11.7 million people still do not receive antiretroviral medication. This means more death hit the continent. (2√)
Malaria is also another killer disease which is causing many deaths in Africa. According to WHO, in the year 2020. Malaria caused an estimated 241 million clinical cases and 627,000 deaths. An estimated 95% of deaths in 2020 were in the WHO African Region. (3√)
The statistics show that many people in Africa lose their lives because of ailments. The thing is people die easily because some stay with these kinds of diseases for years without a check-up. They also do not take any preventive measures. Many people also feel ashamed to seek medical care when the need arises. This puts them in a severe condition which leads to death.
It is recommended that at least every ¼ of a year you visit the hospital for a general check-up. Also, avoid self-medication as it may lead to complications in later life.
2. Accident:
Road accident is always listed among the major causes of death in Africa. Numerous road accidents happen globally yearly. The rate of accidents in developing countries is always higher. It has been one of the life-lost instruments in the current world. The causes of death rates in Africa can never be discussed without accident. It’s one of Africa’s nemeses.
Technological advancement has helped transform the world in so many ways. At the same time, it has destroyed life and property. The advancement in the transport sector has moved people and goods easily. On the other hand, it has wasted a lot of lives in the African region. Day in and out Africans import automobile machines from advanced countries. These transport machines are used under unfavourable conditions.
Their usage gives us more problems than those in the developed world. This is because we do not have what it takes to maintain it. A lot of conditions make automobile use in Africa very difficult. Automobile machines kill thousands of people every year. Which contributes to the high death rates in Africa.
Road accident is a major killer currently in Africa aside from diseases. Countries like Nigeria and Ghana record many road accidents every year. The statistics show that accident is an easy way to die on the continent of Africa.
Observing all road safety protocols and making good conditions for using automobiles can be an answer. Building good roads is also a great factor to reduce the death rate.
3. Drug Addiction :
Drug addiction is a worldwide problem. Leaders of nations have been struggling to put an end to it. Even with their efforts, day in and out people fall victim to addiction. Gangs and dealers keep multiplying and new users are introduced on daily basis. What we see in movies is not fiction but reality being displayed. When it comes to drugs the youth are the ones who are massively involved.
There are major and minor networks that push these drugs across borders for sale. Just like in advanced countries, some African youth are actively involved in drugs. A survey was conducted by Afro Capsules randomly in 2022 in Accra and its suburbs.
The research shows that teenagers from 15 and above are involved in drugs such as marijuana, tobacco tramadol and another hard drug. The ages of 15 to 18 years form just a small ratio of drug addicts. The higher ratio falls between the ages of 19 to about 40 years. Above 40 are also minor. This shows that it is the workforce that is trapped in these dealings.
These victims usually suffer from weak organs due to the abuse of drugs and die. Many people do not focus much on this aspect but it is gradually wiping out the workforce of Africa. The painful thing is that most addicts become weak and may not be fit for employment. This increases the dependency ratio and encourages poverty.
Drug addiction may not have a larger ratio when it comes to death rates. But it is the gateway for most deaths in Africa. It’s either the operator of a car is under drugs or the addicts have a weak immune system. Therefore may not be able to battle diseases or infections which may lead to death. These are things that give in a way to the frequent death occurrence in Africa.
According to the WHO, about 100,000 people die in Africa due to the counterfeit drug trade. These deaths result in addicts purchasing fake drugs or drugs which are not labelled well. This occurs yearly and takes a lot of lives. (4√)
It is advised that parents monitor their children. Especially male children as the addiction may start in Senior High School. Seek medical attention and counselling if you notice a change in your teen child. Knowing it at the early stage may help save him or her. Also, take drugs that are prescribed for you by a professional doctor.
4. Family Pressure:
You may be wondering why family pressure is easily killing Africans. This point was selected from a list of four other points which equally is a cause of death in Africa. I maintain this point because it is a social issue. It is one of the most common killers in Africa which can not be proven scientifically. It is somehow complicated but an easy explanation will do.
Divorces, separations and breakups are on the rise as compared to the marriage rate. Day in and out, societal demands and expectations are high. This in a way keeps people on their toes to work hard. But the extreme form of these demands attracts negative results from individuals. This source of death is primary and linked to other causes of death in Africa.
Family pressure and dependency ratio put a lot of tension on individuals making them lose control. We can not give an accurate figure of how many people harsh living conditions have killed. The Daily struggle of people to fend for themselves and family is most often a burden.
This pressure has caused road accidents, illness and depression in many people. Some people see these demands as normal and do not bother much. On the other hand, it’s unbearable for some groups. This leads to more deaths than you can imagine.
Seeking counselling when family pressure seems intolerable is advised. You only live once.
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