 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Henry Kalter, MD, MPH, International Health (Health Systems), Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N Wolfe St. E8132, Baltimore, MD 21205-2103, Eric A. Swedberg, MPH, Office of Health, Save the Children, US, 54 Wilton Rd, Westport, CT 06880, and Omrana Pasha, MD, MSPH, International Programs (Office of Health), Save the Children (USA), 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880, 203 469 0007, hkalter@jhsph.edu.
Introduction: Childhood mortality rates are high in Guinea; however there is a paucity of data about the causes of death. Most studies extrapolate estimates from hospital-based figures. Using surveillance and verbal autopsy, we describe community-based causes of childhood death. Methodology: Surveillance of under-5 deaths in of 30 villages in Mandiana district was conducted over 12 months. A social/verbal autopsy questionnaire gathered information on the family and environment as well as detailing the events surrounding the illness and death. If the child had been treated at a health center, the records were examined. A total of 353 deaths were identified and 330 caretakers were interviewed. An expert panel reviewed the data and ascertained the cause of death. Results: Amongst the 330 children, 97(29%) were less than 29 days old, 92(28%) were between 29 days and 11 months, and 141(43%) were between 12-59 months. The most common cause of death was malaria(104 deaths;31.5%), ARI(73 deaths;22%) and neonatal tetanus(31 deaths; 9%). Other causes of death included diarrhea, hypoxia and other infections. Malnutrition was the proximate cause in 21 deaths(6%), and a contributing factor in another 9%. Neonatal deaths were due to tetanus (31 deaths;32%) or hypoxia (23 deaths;23%). Amongst both children aged 29 days-59 months the most common causes of death were malaria and ARI. Conclusions: The burden of malaria and neonatal tetanus is higher than previously assessed for this population. These findings have important programmatic and policy implications in Mandiana and similar settings where the control of these diseases require greater attention.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment