Survey Report: Public Health a Major Priority in African Nations
Improving Hospitals, Dealing with HIV/AIDS are Top Issues
Pew Research: Global Attitudes Project
May 1, 2014 10 pages
[This report examines public opinion in Africa on health priorities. It is based on 5,043 face-to-face interviews with adults 18 and older, between March 6, 2013 and April 12, 2013 in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda.]
Excerpt
Concerns about public health are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, and there is considerable support in the region for making public health challenges a top national priority. In particular, people want their governments to improve the quality of hospitals and other health care facilities and deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS.
A Pew Research Center survey, conducted March 6, 2013 to April 12, 2013 in six African nations, also finds broad support for government efforts to address access to drinking water, access to prenatal care, hunger, infectious diseases, and child immunization.
A median of 76% across six countries surveyed say building and improving hospitals and other health care facilities should be one of the most important priorities for their national government. The percentage of the public who holds this view ranges from 85% in Ghana to 64% in Nigeria.
Similarly, a median of 76% believe preventing and treating HIV/AIDS should be one of government’s most important priorities, ranging from 81% in Ghana to 59% in Nigeria.
A median of at least 65% also say the other issues included on the poll — ranging from access to drinking water to increased child immunization — should be among the most important priorities. In fact, majorities hold this view about all seven issues in all six nations…
Complete Report: http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/04/Pew-Research-Center-Public-Health-in-Africa-Report-FINAL-MAY-1-2014.pdf