compared to the male life expectancy, which was recorded at 52, 46 and 48 years in 1980, 1990 and 2000 respectively. Table 18: Life Expectancy at Birth, by Sex, Residence and Province, 1980-2000 Characteristics Zambia Sex Male Female Residence Rural Urban Province Central Copperbelt Eastern Luapula Lusaka Northern North-Western Southern Western 1980 Life Expectancy at Birth (years) 1990 2000 52 47 50 52 53 46 48 48 52 50 54 45 51 48 54 56 55 46 46 55 51 57 53 51 51 50 42 40 50 44 51 53 43 52 54 46 45 54 46 56 53 44 Source: CSO Census of Population and Housing, 2000 D. FACTORS AND DIFFICULTIES 152. Zambia is challenged by the high child mortality rates especially in the rural areas. This is coupled with inadequate health personnel (nurses, doctors and midwives); inadequate access to health centres, distance to health centres, ambulance services and poor road network. In addition there is high prevalence of malaria and HIV/AIDS in the country which has impacted negatively on the State party’s limited resources. 77

Select target paragraph3