Base-line village health profiles in the E.Y.N rural health programme area of north-east Nigeria
Dixon, R.A.; Thompson, J.S.
African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 22(2): 75-80
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0309-3913 PMID: 7839902 Document Number: 361825
In order to later assess the impact of a Nigerian rural health program, a baseline village health survey was made in 1986 in 4 villages not yet reached by village health workers. The villages had a total of 1960 individuals living in 274 compounds. The crude birth rate was 55/1000, the crude death rate was 53/1000, and the general fertility rate was 342/1000. It was found that the village environment could be readily improved through clearance or disposal of vegetation, animal feces, and surface water. Water sources were generally inadequate in quantity and quality at least part of the year. Only 2% of the compounds had pit latrines, and only 1 person (a school teacher) treated the drinking water. The availability of hygienic cooking areas ranged from 51 to 80%. Formal education for males ranged from 17 to 37%. Morbidity during the study period was in the range of 26-49%, but 29-74% did not seek treatment. Only 6% of the women were literate, 37% were clinically anemic, and between 13 and 87% received some prenatal care. 8-29% of children aged 1-5 years had diarrhea in the past 2 weeks, 10-48% received at least 1 immunization, 7-34% were malnourished, and school attendance varied from 0 to 39%. This study uncovered a great deal of water-borne and nutritional illness. Some of the environmental conditions leading to morbidity could be easily corrected; for example, a separate fenced area for domestic animals within compounds would ensure cleaner human habitation. Other health improvements could occur with increased access to prenatal care and immunization.