Malawi Women Health information
Reported, December 06, 2011
In Malawi the lifetime average number of children per women is 6 compared with 2 in the UK.
41.7% of women of reproductive age report using (or a partner using) a contraceptive method compared with 82% in the UK
0% of women aged 5069 years have undergone a breast examination or mammography compared to 75% in the UK and 3% of women aged 2069 years have undergone cervical cancer screening compared to 70% in the UK.
All patients from this country should be offered an HIV test.
Sexually active individuals should be offered a full sexual health screen and safer sex health promotion advice.
There is a high risk of anaemia in people from this country. Be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children, and test as clinically indicated.
Consider vitamin D deficiency in individuals who may be at risk as a result of their diet, skin colour or lack of sun exposure.
Anaemia
There is a high risk of anaemia in people from this country (estimated prevalence in non-pregnant women >40%). Be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children, and test as clinically indicated.
Vitamin D deficiency
Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D and dark skinned individuals or those who for cultural or religious reasons cover their whole bodies when outdoors are at risk of deficiency, as are those whose diets (vegetarian/vegan) do not contain an adequate vitamin D supply.
Vitamin A deficiency
There is a high risk of vitamin A deficiency in this country.
This country has a high prevalence of hepatitis B. Consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly among those who have recently arrived.
This country has a considerably higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK. Consider screening for hepatitis C.
There is a high risk of malaria in this country.
