Morbidity and mortality at Malumfashi Nigeria 1974-79: studies of child health in Hausaland.

In 1971 the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine established the Endemic Diseases Research Unit (EDRU) in Malumfashi District in northern Nigeria to conduct research and to collect demographic data. Even though infants made up only 2.8% of the population they made up 26.9% of all registered deaths. Further children 98% of any activity involving water since females were secluded. Ophthalmic disorders included blindness (1%) impaired vision (2-3%) and other disorders such as cataracts and trachoma. Little data on diarrhea morbidity existed but those that did exist indicated it to be a major problem. During the 1st 3 years of life infants stature fell but caught up with standards thereafter. The nutritional status of Hausa children improved more than Maguzawa children during activities of the Federal Agricultural Development Project. The results of the EDRU project motivated health professionals to set up a primary health care program in Malumfashi. EDRU staff learned an important lesson: people with access to limited medical care and who had high rates of morbidity and mortality tended to consider medical and demographic questionnaires with mistrust. Yet with consistent medical care efforts the staff developed a rapport with the community.