Influence of basic health service on mortality in the first 5 years of living in northeast Nigeria
Hornstrup, M.K.; Harvald, B.; Green, A.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 153(18): 1284-1286
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 1903004 Document Number: 387888
In the area of the Gongola State, North-East Nigeria, where the Danish Sudan Mission has offered health service since 1913, survival until the 5th birthday has been actuarially calculated based on interviews with pregnant mothers in four areas with different health service intensities: 1. health clinic with medical doctor plus referral hospital, 2. nurse- and midwife health clinic, 3. "medical aide" clinic, and 4. no organized health service. Survivals to 1st birthday were 96, 97, 95, and 87 percent, respectively and to 5th birthday 90, 86, 89, and 68 percent. Differences between the first three groups are small and insignificant, whereas the difference between the area without organized health service and the other areas is highly significant. It is concluded that cost/effectiveness of even the most scanty health service is very favourable, whereas the effect of further health service development is less easily demonstrated. Reservations must be taken because of the limited size of the material and the need for data concerning basic morbidity and mortality in the different areas.