Child Mortality and Nutritional Risks in Rural Chad: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Béré
Marie-Claire Boutrin1,2, Marci Andersen2, Zach Gately2
1School of Arts and Sciences, Biological Sciences Department, Oakwood University, 7000 Adventist Blvd NW, Huntsville, AL 35896, USA.
Insights
Child health in rural Chad is poor. Key factors influencing child mortality and weight gain include breastfeeding, meningitis treatment, and vaccination status, guiding future health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatric Health
- Sub-Saharan African Health
Background:
- Chad faces critical child mortality and health challenges, exacerbated by limited health data in rural Béré.
- Project 21, a community health program, struggles to develop interventions due to data scarcity caused by conflict.
- Understanding child health determinants is crucial for effective public health strategies in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate child mortality rates and weight gain ability in children aged 0-2 years in rural Chad.
- To identify factors associated with infant and toddler mortality.
- To explore determinants of healthy weight gain in young children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in Béré, rural Chad.
- Trained community health workers administered a survey questionnaire to gather data.
- Data collected included child mortality, weight gain, breastfeeding, disease history, and vaccination status.
Main Results:
- Male infants exhibit the highest mortality rate.
- Infant mortality is linked to early non-exclusive breastfeeding and meningitis treatment in children.
- Toddler mortality is associated with meningitis treatment in adults and vaccination coverage in household members.
- Healthy weight gain is influenced by gender, age, diet, breastfeeding advice, hygiene, vaccination, and infectious disease history.
Conclusions:
- Specific factors like breastfeeding practices, meningitis management, and vaccination are critical targets for child health interventions.
- Findings provide actionable insights for Project 21 and similar programs aiming to improve child survival and well-being.
- Addressing these determinants is essential for progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract:
Chad, a Sub-Saharan country, has some of the worst child mortality and health indicators. A lack of recent and accurate health records in Béré, rural Chad, due to decades of strife compromises the development of relevant health interventions by Project 21, a community health program. This study investigates child mortality, weight gain ability, and related factors in 0-2-year-olds through a cross-sectional study completed by trained community health workers using a survey questionnaire. Most household heads are Nangtchéré Christian males with secondary-level education. Male infants have the highest mortality rate. Infant mortality is predicted by non-exclusive breastfeeding started within 6 days after birth and by the number of household children who experienced and received treatment for meningitis. Toddlers' mortality is predicted by the number of household adults who experienced and received treatment for meningitis and the number of household adults and children who were vaccinated. The odds of children having no difficulty gaining weight vary with their gender, age, the food or liquid given to them, the source of breastfeeding advice, handwashing and vaccination practices, and experiences with infectious diseases and their treatments. These findings provide targets for future health interventions towards achieving SDG3 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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