Understanding Mortality Surveys in Humanitarian Crises
Author Information
Author(s): Mills Edward J, Checchi Francesco, Orbinski James J, Schull Michael J, Burkle Frederick M Jr, Beyrer Chris, Cooper Curtis, Hardy Colleen, Singh Sonal, Garfield Richard, Woodruff Bradley A, Guyatt Gordon H
Primary Institution: Simon Fraser University
Hypothesis
In the protracted conflict setting of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to what extent is mortality elevated in conflict zones compared to other countries in the region, and what is the nature of any increase in mortality?
Conclusion
The study found that mortality related to violence in the region was a comparatively small contributor to overall mortality rates, with most deaths resulting from non-violent causes.
Supporting Evidence
- The study found a national Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) of 2.1 deaths per 1,000 per month.
- Children under 5 accounted for 45% of all deaths.
- Mortality rates were higher in the Eastern conflict-affected provinces than the Western provinces.
Takeaway
This study helps us understand how many people are dying in conflict areas and why, showing that many deaths are due to things like hunger and disease, not just violence.
Methodology
The study used retrospective mortality surveys, sampling households to gather data on deaths and their causes over a specified recall period.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include selection bias from non-random sampling and under-reporting of deaths.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent the current situation due to changes in conflict dynamics and health infrastructure.
Participant Demographics
The study included households from various regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on both conflict-affected and non-affected areas.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.6–2.6
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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