Non-specific effects of vaccination on child survival: prospective cohort study in Burkina Faso.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of vaccination on mortality before 2 years of age in a developing country. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rural communities in Burkina Faso. PARTICIPANTS: 9085 children born in the study area between 1985 and 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Child death rate. RESULTS: Mortality before 2 years of age was lower in children who had been vaccinated: those vaccinated with BCG only had significantly lower mortality (risk ratio for vaccinated v unvaccinated children 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.29 to 0.48) as did those vaccinated with diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis only (0.24, 0.13 to 0.43). The second dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis was not associated with lower mortality (0.80, 0.58 to 1.12). CONCLUSION: Vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis as well as BCG is associated with better survival of children up to 2 years of age.

[Migration of young people in Burkina]. / La migration de la jeunesse du Burkina

PIP: Migration patterns in Burkina Faso, contributing factors, and migrant characteristics are examined. Data are from published literature for the years 1969-1973. Net emigration from Burkina Faso, primarily to the Ivory Coast and Ghana, is shown to be the predominant trend. The migrant population consists largely of men aged 15-30 from the rural Mossi regions. The socioeconomic context contributing to the observed emigration and the benefits to the communities of origin as a result of these movements are considered. The impact of return migration on agricultural development is discussed.^ieng

[Mossi socio-economic systems and migrations]. / Systemes socio-economiques Mossi et migrations.

PIP: The dynamics of migration among the Mossi of Upper Volta are analyzed through an examination of the socioeconomic objectives of population movements in the precolonial period and at present. The article discusses the precolonial and contemporary Mossi socioeconomic systems, the organization of production, the demographic characteristics of current migration and the sources of data regarding it, the influence of receiving areas on the expansion of migration, the effects on Mossi economy and society of migrant savings, the effect of prolonged absence of migrants on Mossi organization of production, and regional determinants of migration. Precolonial Mossi society differed from the common view of traditional African societies in several respects: the most common unit of production was a polygamous conjugal family, the political system was complex and hierarchical, and a form of money was used. Contemporary Mossi society continues to be governed largely according to norms inherited from the ancestors. 2 types of factors, socioeconomic status and possibilities of accession to land, appear to condition emigration and such of its features as age, duration, and whether or not the spouse accompanies the migrant. Demographic data on migration in Upper Volta was acquired in a 1973 follow-up study of residents interviewed in a 1960-61 sample survey which covered about 49% of the national population. The development of a capitalist agrarian system in the coastal countries of Ghana and the Ivory Coast has been associated with an increased flow of migration from Upper Volta and a modification of the nature of migratory movement. Because so many young men are absent abroad, more and more of the agricultural work is undertaken by the very old or the very young, and the power of the elders is consequently declining. Development efforts in Upper Volta are influenced, often unfavorably, by the type of development process occurring in the neighboring countries.^ieng

Migrants' health and adjustment to urban life--Senegal.

PIP: During 1970-1973, a study was done on the Serer, a Senegalese tribe known to have difficulty in adapting to new situations. The study was done by the World Health Organization and the University in Dakar to determine the health differences, if any, of those still living in their rural environment and those residing in the city. 262 adults were surveyed in the rural area of Niakhar and 225 Serer natives living in the urban area of Dakir were also surveyed. Questionnaires were prepared dealing with sociodemographic, biomedical, mental health, housing and hygiene data. It was found that urban dwellers tended to be younger than their rural counterparts. There was also a greater percentage of Serer women who live in the city. Education was higher among those who lived in Dakar with male urban dwellers having a 13% higher ratio than women. Serer men who live in the city tend to socialize more with other groups while women mixed poorly saying that other cultures had "doubtful morality." Women who moved to Dakir trusted modern medicine, while urban dwelling men believed both in modern and folk medicine. 3 areas of medical concern were studied: precursors to heart disease, anemia, and infectious diseases. Little difference was observed between rural and urban populations for precursors to heart disease. Anemia was common in the rural area for both sexes. More malaria, intestinal parasites and tuberculosis were found in rural households. In regard to mental health, depression and anxiety are approximately the same for urban and rural dwellers while psychiatric syndrome, cerebral syndromes and personality disorders do appear more frequently in urban dwellers. The authors discuss the practical implications of their study and suggest further research that can be done to extend their analysis.^ieng