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Population Patterns in Africa. Natural Increase. Birth Rate - Death Rate = Natural Increase Africa’s birth rates remain high, while death rates have dropped dramatically. At an average 2.3% growth rate annually, Africa’s population will double in 30 years. Western Influences.
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Natural Increase • Birth Rate - Death Rate = Natural Increase • Africa’s birth rates remain high, while death rates have dropped dramatically. • At an average 2.3% growth rate annually, Africa’s population will double in 30 years.
Western Influences • Better access to health care increases life expectancy. • Reductions in maternal mortality allows mothers to continue having babies. • Increased infant survival through better newborn care, immunizations, etc. • Columbian Exchange- introduction of American crops diversified the African diet.
Cultural Values • Ancestor Worship- many children help ensure the immortality of one’s lineage. • Polygyny- the practice of multiple wives. • Personal prestige for women comes through child bearing. • Children are viewed as a retirement account, because they take care of parents in old age.
Household Economics • Wealth flows from child to parent; children are workers on the family farm. • Stoop Labor- agriculture performed by hand, therefore more hands means less work. • Bride Price- compensation of a bride’s family by the groom’s family for the loss of a worker.
Status of Women • Women are in charge of producing most of the food for the family. • Every African woman wants children for cultural & economic reasons. • Too early, too many, too close, too late. • An elementary education for women tends to lower birthrates. • Urbanization also lowers birthrates.
HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) • In Africa HIV is spread primarily by heterosexual contact. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) • AIDS is a gradual deterioration of the immune system caused by HIV.
People Living with HIV Eastern Europe & Central Asia 1.5 million [1.1 – 1.9 million] Western & Central Europe 730 000 [580 000 – 1.0 million] North America 1.2 million [760 000 – 2.0 million] East Asia 740 000 [480 000 – 1.1 million] Middle East&North Africa 380 000 [280 000 – 510 000] Caribbean 230 000 [210 000 – 270 000] South & South-East Asia 4.2 million [3.5 – 5.3 million] Sub-Saharan Africa 22.0 million [20.5 – 23.6 million] Latin America 1.7 million [1.5 – 2.1 million] Oceania 74 000 [66 000 – 93 000] 2007 Total: 33 million (30 – 36 million)
A Global View of HIV http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34048658/ns/health-aids/t/global-view-aids-epidemic/#.TwNpUkeBpQM
HIV/AIDS • Areas that have experienced war & civil unrest have a higher occurrence of AIDS. • Drugs to treat the disease are very expensive. • Funerals in Africa are important events. People are away from work in the fields to attend funerals of family members. • Education & breaking the cycle AIDS follows is the key to stopping its spread.
Impact of AIDS on Families • The cycle begins when the husband contracts the disease from a prostitute & eventually dies. • The wife gets the disease from her husband. But the time from exposure to death is shorter for women. • The children are sent to live with other family members, usually grandparents. • When the grandparents die, it often leaves the oldest child as head of the household. • Crime & prostitution can become a problem for young people desperate to support their family. The cycle then repeats itself.
