Objective
To estimate retrospective mortality and nutritional situation among the population of Balbala,
Djibouti town, Djibouti.
Methods
A cluster sampling survey (30 clusters of 23 families) was conducted, using standardized
questionnaire. Questions were asked on family composition, retrospective mortality and
related to food security. Standard anthropometric measures were taken for children aged 6 to
59 months.
Results
781 families were included in the survey. The average household size was 6.3. Children
under 5 presented 15.6% of surveyed population.
The crude mortality rate was estimated at 0.34/10000/day (95% CI 0.22-0.46) and the under
5 mortality rate at 0.46/10000/day (95% CI 0.10-0.81). Most deaths were disease related,
with cough being most common single cause of death in above 5 years old, while neonatal
deaths presented half of the deaths in under 5 years old.