A study of vital and health statistics of the Kainji Lake Area of Nigeria
Adekolu-John, E.O.
African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 17(3): 149-156
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0309-3913 PMID: 2845754 Document Number: 311392
Home visitors annually administered questionnaires in 1977, 1978 and 1979 to 1091 heads of households in 687 compounds distributed among 8 villages in the Kainji Lake Area of Nigeria. They wanted to establish baseline data on vital and health statistics in the area and evaluate the existing birth and death registration system. 41.6% of all deaths during the 3 year period happened in children 10 years old and 34% happened in the 0-5 year age group. 21% occurred in the of = 60 year age group. The 3 leading causes of death in the area included gastroenteritis (33.7%), malaria (32.9%), and measles (7.6%). In 1977 a cholera epidemic struck Karabande in the southern end of the Kainji Lake Area. In 1978 Karabande had an epidemic of measles which accounted for measles being the 3rd most common cause of death in this study. Deaths due to the 3 leading afflictions declined considerably in the 3rd year, e.g., measles cases 5-17-0. 66.3% of the women have been married once, while 33.7% have been married more than once. 70% of all divorces occurred due to lack of affection, cruelty, and desertion. Vital statistics registration began in 1965, but registrars only recorded births (1965-1980: 6504) and not deaths. They did not understand the importance of registration of births and deaths for national and local planning. In New Bussa, the National Electric Power Authority hospital and the General Hospital recorded 9830 live births between 1969-1980, which considerably exceeded the 4972 registered births in New Bussa alone and the 6504 births in all the registration centers in the same period. There were a higher number of registered births among the nonindigenous population who migrated to the region than among the local people.