Conceptualising inequalities in population health in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe: A health outcomes based approach

Masvingo Province experiences variations in health across its spatial units (Administrative Districts). The disparities in health are largely determined by the spatial inequalities in the distribution of major determinants of health. To determine variability of health among districts, eleven indicator variables of health where used. The composite index method was used to integrate the health indicator values of the indicator variables into a single measure so that health could be measured and compared numerically. This enabled the districts to be ranked according to their health from top to bottom to create a visual and statistical display of the spatial patterns of health in the province. Major sources of data for the research were the Ministry of Health and Child welfare (2012) and ZIMSTAT (2012). It emerged from the study that there is severe spatial health inequalities across Masvingo province's administrative districts. Generally, urban administrative districts are experiencing better health than their rural counterparts.