Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health [to] the Corporation of the City of Capetown.

  • Cape Town (South Africa). City Health Department.
Date:
[1974]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health [to] the Corporation of the City of Capetown. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/146
    THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR THE YEAR 1974 HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN. Ladies and Gentlemen It is with pleasure that I present my third annual report concerning health conditions in the City of Cape Town, together with an account of the work conducted by the City Health Department during the year 1974. Throughout the year health conditions have been satisfactory. VITAL STATISTICS The estimated population of the City, based on the 1970 census was 795 380 (246 200 White and 549 180 non-White). This represents an increase of 3,2°/o over the previous year. BIRTHS A total of 21 614 births were notified to the Department which was 427 less than the previous year. White births decreased from 3 780 to 3 593 (187) and non-White births from 18 261 to 18 021 (240). The Bantu group showed the only increase - from 3 931 to 4 250 (319). The overall birth rate revealed a decline from 28,6 to 27,2. The White birth rate at 14,6 is the lowest ever recorded and is half that of the Coloured group and one third that of the Bantu group. ILLEGITIMACY Illegitimate births increased from 7 529 to 7 626 (97), the increase being confined to the Bantu and Asiatic groups. The percentage increase being 12,2 and 200,0 respectively. DEATHS 6 608 Deaths (White 2 227 and non-White 4 381) were recorded in the municipal area. The overall death rate declined from 8,62 to 8,31 (3,6°/o). The principal feature was the reduction in the number of deaths due to degenerative heart diseases. One aspect also, was the large number of non-White deaths in the under 1 year and middle age groups classified as 'ill defined' or 'unknown cause' - 244 such cases were thus recorded in the year. Deaths from suicide - prominent in the previous year fell to a normal level again but with a change in the main mode of death from drugs to firearms. INFANT MORTALITY Infant deaths totalled 868 (43 White and 825 non-White) with a mortality rate of 40,2, the same as the pre¬ vious year. The White rate fell to its lowest level at 12,0. The main decrease in both racial groups was due to fewer deaths from nutritional maladjustment. MATERNAL MORTALITY Five fatalities occurred (3 Coloured and 2 Bantu). Inquests were held in 3 cases which followed abortion. INFECTIOUS DISEASES During the year 796 cases of measles were admitted to the City Hospital. This is the highest number ever admitted in one year and follows an almost continuous rise over the years. Sixty nine deaths (all non-White) occurred compared with 50 in the previous year. With the now annual allocation of funds granted by Council for measles vaccine, the programme of immunising, commenced early in February, should greatly benefit the susceptable section of the community.