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Table 1 Risk factors in Malawi compared to African Region and global averages

From: National health research system in Malawi: dead, moribund, tepid or flourishing?

Health risk factors

Malawi

African Region

Global

Population using improved drinking-water sources (%) (2011)

84

64

89

Population using improved sanitation (%) (2011)

53

34

64

Population using solid fuels (%) (2010)

>95

77

41

Preterm birth rate (per 100 live births) (2010)

18

12

11

Infants exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life (%) (2012)

71

35

38

Children aged < 5 years (%) (2012)

Wasted

4.1

10.4

8.0

Stunted

47.8

40.9

25.7

Underweight

13.8

25.2

15.7

Overweight

9.2

7.9

6.6

Prevalence of raised fasting blood glucose among adults aged ≥ 25 years (%) (2008)

Male

6.4

8.3

9.2

Female

6.2

9.8

9.2

Prevalence of raised blood pressure among adults aged ≥ 25 years (%) (2008)

Male

44.5

38.1

29.2

Female

39.4

35.5

24.8

Adults aged ≥20 years who are obese (%) (2008)

Male

2.6

5.3

10.0

Female

6.2

11.1

14.0

Alcohol consumption among adults aged ≥15 years (litres of pure alcohol per person per year) (2008)

1.4

Prevalence of smoking any tobacco product among adults aged ≥15 years (%) (2009)

Male

26

17

36

Female

4

3

8

Prevalence of current tobacco use among adolescents aged 13–15 years (%) (2010)

Male

17

20

18

Female

11

13

11

Prevalence of condom use by adults aged 15–49 years during higher risk sex (%) (2011)

Male

25

Female

27

Population aged 15–24 years with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS (%) (2011)

Male

34

Female

28

  1. Source: WHO [1].