Verbal autopsy analysis of childhood deaths in rural Gambia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277377
• Publication Date: 2023-07-06T17:28:35Z
• Authors: Baleng Mahama Wutor; Isaac Osei; Lobga Babila Galega; Esu Ezeani; Williams Adefila; Ilias Hossain; Golam Sarwar; Grant Mackenzie
• Keywords: Verbal autopsy

Background In low-resource settings, it is challenging to ascertain the burden and causes of under-5 mortality as many deaths occur outside health facilities. We aimed determine childhood in rural Gambia using verbal autopsies (VA). Methodology used WHO VA questionnaires conduct VAs for years age Basse Fuladu West Health Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) between September 01, 2019, December 31, 2021. Using a standardized cause death list, two physicians assigned discordant diagnoses were resolved by consensus. Results conducted 89% (647/727) deaths. Of these deaths, 49.5% (n = 319) occurred at home, 50.1% 324) females, 32.3% 209) neonates. Acute respiratory infection including pneumonia (ARIP) (33.7%, n 137) diarrhoeal diseases (23.3%, 95) commonest primary post-neonatal period. neonatal period, unspecified perinatal (34.0%, 71) due birth asphyxia (27.3%, 57) death. Severe malnutrition (28.6%, 185) was underlying (p-value<0.001) severe anaemia (p-value 0.03) more likely hospitals while 0.01) home. ARIP 0.04) disease 0.001) among children aged 1–11 months 12–23 respectively. Conclusion According analysis identified within HDSS Gambia, half amongst diarrhoea, remain predominant child mortality. Improved care health-seeking behaviour may reduce Gambia.