Mortality patterns during a war in Guinea-Bissau 1998-99: changes in risk factors?
BACKGROUND
The crude mortality rate of the whole population and the mortality of children <5 years of age are the common indicators of the severity of a complex emergency situation. However, these indicators rarely take account of differences in socioeconomic conditions and vulnerability.


METHODS
We followed a population in Guinea-Bissau, which fled when fighting took place in the capital during the war in 1998-99. The population stayed close to the area of conflict and returned as soon as a cease-fire was negotiated. A peace treaty was signed after half-a-year. The following 6 months was a period of returning and re-settlement, even though two outbreaks of fighting occurred.


RESULTS
In the first half-year the mortality rate was 78% [mortality ratio (MR) = 1.78; 95% CI 1.61-1.97] increased and mortality for children <5 years of age doubled (MR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.79-2.38). In the last 6 months of the war, mortality was slightly increased for children and not at all for the total population. In the first half-year, households living in better houses and having members with schooling were less affected. In the 're-settlement' period two inequalities emerged; the largest ethnic group, Pepel, continued to have high mortality when the mortality of other groups declined; likewise girls continued to have an elevated mortality whereas mortality of boys declined.


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas specific 'free' interventions reduced social inequalities for the groups affected, for the total population health-inequalities were slightly amplified during the war. Once the population returned to their urban homes, mortality fell to pre-war levels even though some fighting continued, limited humanitarian aid was available and the pre-war infra-structure had not been re-established.
Nielsen
Jens
J
Bandim Health Project, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. nls@ssi.dk
Jensen
Henrik
H
Andersen
Per Kragh
PK
Aaby
Peter
P
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006169:Guinea-Bissau / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014857:Warfare