Display options
Cite
Lindtjørn B. Famine in southern Ethiopia 1985-6: population structure, nutritional state, and incidence of death among children. BMJ. 1990;301(6761):1123-7doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1123.
Lindtjørn, B. (1990). Famine in southern Ethiopia 1985-6: population structure, nutritional state, and incidence of death among children. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 301(6761), 1123-7. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1123
Lindtjørn, B. "Famine in southern Ethiopia 1985-6: population structure, nutritional state, and incidence of death among children." BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 301,6761 (1990): 1123-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1123
Lindtjørn B. Famine in southern Ethiopia 1985-6: population structure, nutritional state, and incidence of death among children. BMJ. 1990 Nov 17;301(6761):1123-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1123. PMID: 2252922; PMCID: PMC1664269.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

BMJ. 1990 Nov 17;301(6761):1123-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1123.

Famine in southern Ethiopia 1985-6: population structure, nutritional state, and incidence of death among children.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)

B Lindtjørn

Affiliations

  1. Centre of International Health, University of Bergen, Norway.

PMID: 2252922 PMCID: PMC1664269 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1123
Free PMC Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of drought on mortality in children.

DESIGN: Prospective epidemiological study forming part of nutritional monitoring during famine relief work.

SETTING: 24 Food distribution sites in Arero and Borana provinces in southern Ethiopia.

PATIENTS: A monthly average of 14,173 and 5,334 children under 5 were examined in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Altogether 148,966 child months (105,872 for 1985 and 43,094 for 1986) were available for analysis.

INTERVENTION: The families of all children were supplied with food each month. Basic medical care was also provided.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Mortality in children under 5.

RESULTS: A 40% increase in crude mortality was observed among children living in traditional and stable societies. The severe consequences were observed mainly among children living in relief shelters, where a threefold to fourfold increase in crude mortality was recorded among children. Increased childhood mortality was also associated with high prevalence of malnutrition, living in the most arid areas, and the dry season. A long period of food aid was needed to normalise the nutritional state, especially for children living in relief shelters.

CONCLUSIONS: The most severe consequences of the widespread famine that occurred in the Arero and Borana provinces of southern Ethiopia during 1985-6 were seen among children living in relief shelters. Early food intervention may decrease the scale of migration and thus also reduce the severe consequences of a famine.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

  1. Bull World Health Organ. 1986;64(2):299-309 - PubMed
  2. Ann Trop Paediatr. 1987 Mar;7(1):1-5 - PubMed
  3. J Infect Dis. 1983 Apr;147(4):693-701 - PubMed
  4. Lancet. 1983 Mar 26;1(8326 Pt 1):688-91 - PubMed
  5. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1982 Aug;76(4):393-404 - PubMed
  6. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 Aug;33(8):1836-45 - PubMed
  7. Int J Epidemiol. 1978 Mar;7(1):31-40 - PubMed
  8. Lancet. 1976 Jun 12;1(7972):1283-5 - PubMed
  9. Int J Epidemiol. 1977 Sep;6(3):259-67 - PubMed
  10. J Trop Pediatr Environ Child Health. 1977 Feb;23(1):15-22 - PubMed
  11. Lancet. 1974 Jun 1;1(7866):1093-7 - PubMed
  12. Proc Nutr Soc. 1986 Sep;45(3):289-304 - PubMed
  13. Bull World Health Organ. 1988;66(2):237-47 - PubMed
  14. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Jan;47(1):134-8 - PubMed
  15. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1987 Aug 1;295(6593):314-8 - PubMed
  16. Am J Clin Nutr. 1987 Aug;46(2):369-73 - PubMed
  17. Am J Epidemiol. 1987 Aug;126(2):258-67 - PubMed
  18. Lancet. 1984 Apr 28;1(8383):945-7 - PubMed

MeSH terms

Publication Types

LinkOut - more resources