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1. J Banda
   Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, Lusaka, Zambia

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Citation style for this article: Banda J.  Rapid Population Growth http://znphi.co.zm/thehealthpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/prespective.pdfand Health. 2018;2(9); pp 5-7.
One of the important developmental goals of government is to provide adequate health care for the population through expanded primary health care. However,
high population growth rate is likely to make the achievement of this goal difficult if not impossible. In general high fertility, which impacts on rapid population growth
rate tends to be related to high rates of morbidity and mortality especially in a poorer economic setting[1]. The scope of public health programmes are necessarily influenced by the
changing characteristics of the population because different age groups may require specialized health attention and services. Rapid population growth with its dynamic
changing characteristics therefore necessitates consented and articulate long range planning of health care services [2]. Rapid population growth is commonly associated with high fertility which impacts on quality of the population’s health conditions and attendant health services. For example, African countries have the highest fertility rates in the world [3] and are prone to higher mortality rates. They also are affected by more diseases and chronic conditions than any other region [3]. This phenomenon, therefore, constrains improvements in health and the delivery of health services. For instance, owing to high birth rates many African countries have high proportions of young children in the population. This aspect has a negative bearing on the health situation and services in countries. A typical example, is the relatively large number of children
in the age group 0-4 years which usually constitute the highest proportion. This age group experiences the highest illness and mortality rates, resulting in a greater need for health services. Additionally, high fertility and closely spaced children are associated with high rates of infant, child and maternal mortality [4]. In such situations the efficiency of health services are bound to be compromised because of rapid increase of population [5]. Zambia is not an exception to relatively high population growth rates and its apparent impact on constrained public health and resources. The population of Zambia in 2010 was about 13, 092,666 while it was 9,885, 591 in 2000 and projected to 17,067,592 in 2016 [6, 7]. The growth rate was estimated at 2.8 during the inter-censal period between 2000 and 2010. The rate remained almost at the same level by 2016. The Total Fertility Rates (TFRs) were estimated at 6.7, 6.0, 5.9 and 5.3 in 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2016 respectively. Although the TFR progressively declined from 2000 to 2016 it was still relatively high compared to most developed countries such as Spain and Taiwan, with TFRs of 1.3 and 1.2 respectively [7]. Owing to the high population growth rate the Zambian young population provides an in-built potential for continued population growth into the future (6). In this regard the number of health care facilities and resources may not grow at the pace of the ever-growing population [8].
Table 1: Zambian Population and Total Fertility Rates 

1. Table 2: Life expectancy at birth for selected countries 

Source: Central Statistical office, Zambian Population and Demographic projections (2011-2035)
In the urban areas high population growth, without matching special development efforts, for instance, would constitute a barrier to socio-economic development that includes the health sector where the expansion of health facilities would not match the available resources^[10].  According to  Siwale, as early as 1984  observed that the National Primary  Health Programme which had been implemented for quite a long time was expected to achieve a goal for health for all by the year 2000^[8]. This was not attained among other reasons, because of the persistent high birth rates in the country. In conclusion, we reiterate that rapid population growth has a depressing effect on health servicesSource: i) Central Statistical office, Zambian Population and Demographic projections (2011-2035) ii) Population Reference Bureau, World Population Data Sheet 2018 In the urban areas high population growth, without matching special development efforts, for instance, would constitute a barrier to socio-economic development that includes the health sector where the expansion of health facilities would not match the available resources [10]. Siwale, as early as 1984 observed that the National Primary Health Programme which had been implemented for quite a long time was expected to achieve a goal for health for all by the year 2000 [8] This was not attained among other reasons, because of the persistent high birth rates in the country. In conclusion we reiterate that rapid population growth, has a depressing effect on health services..   
List of Reference
1. Bureau of Statistics & Demography Unit. Middle-Level Training Workshop in Demography: Reference workbook. 31 July 1990.
2. Perrott GSJ, Holland DF. Population Trends and Problems of Public Health. The Milbank Quarterly. 2005;83(4):569–608.
3. Krans B. Overpopulation: An Overlooked Factor in Global Health 2014 [cited 2018 30 September]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/overpopulation-driving-global-health-crisis-031914#1.
4. Goliber T. Africa’s expanding population: Old problems, new policies. Population Reference Bureau Inc. 1989;44(3).
5. Sai FT. The Population Factor in Africa’s Development Dilemma. Science. 1984;226(4676).
6. Central Statistical Office of Zambia. Population and Demographic Projections 2011 – 2035 Lusaka: Central Statistical Office; 2013 [cited 2018 30 September]. Available from: http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/index.php/publications/category/55-census-projections 
7. Population Reference Bureau. World Population Data Sheet 2018 [cited 2017 12 November ]. Available from: https://www.prb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018_WPDS.pdf 
8. Siwale MV, editor. Population and Development; 1984; Cooperative College.
9. Walsh F. Zambia’s growing population 2011 [cited 2018 30 September]. Available from: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-15433140 
10. Grosse RN. Interrelation between Health and Population: Observations derived from field experience. Social Science Med. 1980;14(C):99-120.