The findings from epidemiological data that were collected from emergency camps for Ethiopian refugees during a mass influx of refugees into Eastern Sudan in 1985 are presented. An overall mortality of 8.9 per 10 000 a day was recorded during February 1985, and in children under 5 years of age the rate was 22 per 10000a day. The estimated prevalence of malnutrition (calculated as less than 80% of the reference weight for height) ranged from 32% to 52% among children of preschool age. The principal causes of morbidity and mortality were measles, diarrhoea and dysentery. resoiratory infections, and malaria. The findings suggest that malnutrition and disease increased in these refugees after they arrived in the camps. Epidemiological assessment is essential to help to maintain the health and nutrition of refugees in emergency camps. © 1987, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

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Research Methodology refugee Africa south of the Sahara population Migrants Population Dynamics Research Report Developing Countries human Communicable Diseases Refugees epidemiology Sudan child nutrition priority journal health status Malaria morbidity Arab Countries Epidemiologic Methods Nutrition Disorders health Adolescent male Diseases female Child, Preschool Africa diarrhea Northern Africa Ethiopia nutrition adult migration Eastern Africa age data analysis Demographic Factors malnutrition nutritional status measles mortality Child