Women in Harare and Bulawayo drink more alcohol than women in any other province in Zimbabwe, according to the 2023–2024 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS).
The report shows that 12% of women in Harare and 9% in Bulawayo consumed alcohol in the month before the survey, the highest rates in the country. Matabeleland North recorded the lowest, at 4%.
Urban women were more likely to drink than rural women, with 10% of urban women reporting alcohol use compared to 4% in rural areas.
Among women who drank, 32% had six or more drinks on drinking days, suggesting binge drinking, while 26% had just one drink. The rest typically had two to four drinks.
On average, female drinkers consumed 3.4 drinks per drinking day.
Overall, 6% of women reported drinking in the previous month, compared to 35% of men.
The intensity of drinking among some women, especially in Harare and Bulawayo, may pose health risks.
The data comes from ZDHS findings published by ZIMSTAT, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
More: Health Times
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