Repartition de la morbidite dans trois communautes nomades du Chari-Baguirmi et du Kanem; Tchad

RESUMO

Within the framework of an multidisciplinary research and action program; morbidity patterns were assessed in three nomadic communities; i.e.; Fulani; A rab cattle bre e d e rs and A rab camel breeders; l iving in Chari - B ag u i rmi and Kanem; Chad. This is the first data about the health of Chadian nomadic pastoralists who account for approximately 6of the total population. A total of 1092 women; men and children were interviewed and examined in the course of three surveys carried out by a physician during the dry and rainy season. Nomads reporting no health problems were rare. Tuberculosis was suspected in 4;6of adults after clinical examination and bronchopulmonary disorders in children less than five years of age. Febrile diarrhea was more prevalent during the wet season when access to clean drinking water was more difficult. Simple malaria was rarely diagnosed in Arabs during the dry season. In contrast simple malaria was frequent in Fulani who stay inthe vicinity of Lake Chad during the dry period. Protein-energy malnutrition was observed in only 3 of 328 children younger than 15 years of age