Irwig L M, Ingle R F
S Afr Med J. 1984 Oct 20;66(16):608-13.
Childhood mortality rates in rural Transkei were calculated using data obtained from a sample survey of about 5 000 women who were questioned about the outcome of their pregnancies. There was almost a 1 in 5 risk of children dying before the age of 5 years. The greatest risk was in the 1st year; the infant mortality rate was 130/1 000. About 75% of infant deaths occurred in the postneonatal period. We suggest that many postneonatal deaths are probably caused by diarrhoea and could be prevented by community-based oral rehydration programmes. About 75% of the children were breast-fed beyond the age of 1 year; however, 66% of them were also given other milk before they were 4 months old. Over 80% of women attended an antenatal clinic at least once, although only about 33% of the babies were delivered by the health services. Health services had been attended by 85% of children over 3 months old. The survey methods used were found suitable for ascertaining childhood mortality rates in rural areas of southern Africa. They should be applied more extensively to provide information for planning health services.
