According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the most common problems affecting women’s health aged 20 – 60 years are:
1-HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death worldwide.
Although unsafe sex is the main cause of infection in developing countries, it is not the only cause; insecure blood transfusions are also contributing to the spread of the disease.
Other causes of infection are lack of access to information and health services and economic vulnerability.
2-Maternal health
Maternal deaths are the second biggest killer of women of reproductive age. Approximately 287 000 women die annually due to complications of pregnancy and delivery.
3-Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is often linked to HIV infection and is among the five leading causes of death among women aged 20 to 60 years old.
4-Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Smoking and the burning of solid fuels for cooking are the primary risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a life-threatening lung disease – in women. One third of all of the COPD deaths in women is caused by exposure to indoor smoke from cooking with open fires or inefficient stoves.
5-Breast cancer
Breast cancer is considered the leading cancer killer among women aged 20–59 years worldwide.
6-Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide, with all cases linked to a sexually transmitted genital infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Due to poor access to screening and treatment services, more than 90% of deaths occur in women living in low- and middle- income countries.
7-Violence
Violence against women is widespread around the world. Recent figures indicate that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Women who have been physically or sexually abused have higher rates of mental ill-health, unintended pregnancies, abortions and miscarriages than non-abused women.
8-Depression and suicide
Women are more susceptible to depression and anxiety than men. Depression is the leading cause of disease burden for women in all societies.