CHILD MORTALITY COMBAT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAFUT SUB-DIVISION, MEZAM DIVISION, NORTH WEST REGION, CAMEROON
CHILD MORTALITY COMBAT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAFUT SUB-DIVISION, MEZAM DIVISION, NORTH WEST REGION, CAMEROON

Summary/Abstract: Mortality of children under the age of five has been the main target of public health policies worldwide. Bafut Sub-division found in the Northwest Region of Cameroon is characterised by high infant and child mortality confirmed by statistics gotten from the Bafut District Hospital and many other health centres in this locality. This study aims at examining the situation of child mortality and to outline the different factors associated with child mortality in Bafut Sub-division. The research methodology adopted for this study involved the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data collected was from primary sources (field observation, administration of questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews) and secondary sources (published and unpublished works, and the internet). The findings of the study reveal that, there is a downward movement in the mortality trend in Bafut Sub-division and Cameroon. Malaria is seen as the main cause of child mortality in Bafut. This is confirmed by the pearson’s chi square, with the degree of freedom being 6 at a significant level of 0.05, the critical value was 5% while the calculated value measured at 614.8 which is validated, stating that, malaria is the main cause of child mortality in Bafut Sub-division. Results from our investigation also show that strategies put in place to combat child mortality have contributed so much on the reduction of child death which has led to the development of Bafut Sub-division. Considering the fact that the strategies adopted cannot fully solve the problem, there is therefore the need for all stakeholders to be actively involved in the implementation of the different adaptation strategies and the recommendations mentioned in this document such as free vaccination of children less than five year, provision of treated mosquito net, antenatal health education, free treatment of malaria for pregnant women and under five children, health campaigns and sensitization and availability of first aid boxes in schools.

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