Spatio-temporal analysis of mortality among children under the age of five in Manhiça (Mozambique) during the period 1997-2005

2011

Child Mortality Trends in Manhiça, Mozambique (1997-2005)

Sample size: 9013 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Geòrgia Escaramís, Josep L Carrasco, John J Aponte, Delino Nhalungo, Ariel Nhacolo, Pedro Alonso, Carlos Ascaso

Primary Institution: Bioestadística. Departament de Salut Pública. Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Hypothesis

The study aims to examine the spatio-temporal variation of child mortality rates in Manhiça, Mozambique, from 1997 to 2005.

Conclusion

Child mortality rates in Manhiça showed a convex time-trend, peaking in 2001 due to flooding, but returned to initial values by 2005.

Supporting Evidence

Child mortality peaked in 2001 at 42 cases per 1000 children/year.
The study area had a mean population of 9013 children under five during the study period.
Households with a lower percentage of single constructions showed increased child mortality rates.
The spatial distribution of child mortality was similar to that of malaria incidence in the same area.
Flooding in early 2000 was linked to the peak in mortality rates observed in 2001.
Mortality rates returned to initial values by the end of the study period in 2005.

Takeaway

This study looked at how many young children died in Manhiça over several years and found that deaths went up a lot in 2001 because of heavy rains but went back down after that.