Child Mortality and Nutritional Risks in Rural Chad: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Béré

Marie-Claire Boutrin (), Marci Andersen, Zach Gately and Charis McLarty
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Marie-Claire Boutrin: School of Arts and Sciences, Biological Sciences Department, Oakwood University, 7000 Adventist Blvd NW, Huntsville, AL 35896, USA
Marci Andersen: School of Public Health, Global Health Department, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
Zach Gately: School of Public Health, Global Health Department, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
Charis McLarty: School of Public Health, Global Health Department, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: Chad, a Sub-Saharan country, has some of the worst child mortality and health indicators. A lack of recent and accurate health records in Béré, rural Chad, due to decades of strife compromises the development of relevant health interventions by Project 21, a community health program. This study investigates child mortality, weight gain ability, and related factors in 0–2-year-olds through a cross-sectional study completed by trained community health workers using a survey questionnaire. Most household heads are Nangtchéré Christian males with secondary-level education. Male infants have the highest mortality rate. Infant mortality is predicted by non-exclusive breastfeeding started within 6 days after birth and by the number of household children who experienced and received treatment for meningitis. Toddlers’ mortality is predicted by the number of household adults who experienced and received treatment for meningitis and the number of household adults and children who were vaccinated. The odds of children having no difficulty gaining weight vary with their gender, age, the food or liquid given to them, the source of breastfeeding advice, handwashing and vaccination practices, and experiences with infectious diseases and their treatments. These findings provide targets for future health interventions towards achieving SDG3 in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: child mortality; child weight gain; breastfeeding; infectious diseases; vaccination; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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