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EMMF:
Making a Difference in Uganda
Survey
Mortality: Our survey results were
taken of numerous interviews of Pygmies at the two villages. This is compared
with the survey taken among the general populations of the Ugandans living
nearby. This survey was ascertained as the patients came to the clinic. It was
not done as a house-to-house survey, but the numbers bespeak the fact that the
survey results carry a fairly high confidence rate.
For the Pygmies at Byumba, a total of
67 pregnancies were obtained on the survey.
Number of deaths: 27.
Number of deaths, age one to five: 13.
Number of deaths under the age of one:
14.
Non-Pygmies at Byumba (these were the other
Ugandans living nearby): Total of 77 pregnancies.
Number of deaths: 20.
Deaths, age one to five: Six.
Deaths under the age of one: 11.
Pygmies at Katairiro: 111 pregnancies.
Number of deaths: 67.
Deaths under the age of one: 22.
Deaths, age one to five: 24.
Non-Pygmies at Katairiro: 172
pregnancies. 44 deaths.
Under the age of one: Seven deaths.
Age one to five: 25 deaths.
Mortality rate:
Pygmies listed in Byumba:. Under the
age of five, 40%; death rate under the age of one 21%.
Pygmies at Katairiro: Death rate under
the age of five, 41%; death rate under the age of one 20%.
Non-Pygmies at Byumba: Death rate
under the age of five, 22%; under the age of one, 14%.
Non-Pygmies at Katairiro: Under the
age of five, 17% death rate; under the age of one, 5%.
These survey results demonstrate that
the crude mortality rate under the age of five is approximately twice the
average Ugandan. The reasons for this were determined by individual interviews,
indicating that malnutrition and malaria and other infectious diseases are the
primary causes of death. Improved health care and immunizing these children
would lower this death rate. Parenthetically, there was an absence of HIV among
the Pygmies due to a lack of intermarriage and any sexual contact with the
Ugandan population.
Education: The illiteracy rate was
quite high among the Pygmies. Also, in interviewing the pastors, the bishop,
the chief and the Pygmies themselves, education was a high priority item for
all concerned. It was thought that if these Pygmies could be educated, that
would be the catalyst for elevating them from their desperate plight.
Evangelism: The church of Uganda has
been very active in bringing the love of Christ to the Pygmies. The Pygmies
have been responsive to this outreach and are now involved in church activities
including, worship, youth groups, choir and the Mother’s Union.
Public health: Dental care, adequate
nutrition, basic health measures were not standard among the Pygmy population.
It was thought that if a nurse could be living among the Pygmies, these public
health concerns could be addressed, which would circumvent other more serious
medical problems in the future.
Clean water: As mentioned, in Katairiro,
there were two springs. These two springs seemed to be of only minimally
adequate supply and were diminishing almost on a daily basis. They were also a
fair distance away from the Pygmy colony, located some one-hundred-yard walk
down a hill. A clean, adequate, and more
central water supply would be a high priority item for both Katairiro and
Byumba, particularly one that was activated by a hand pump.
Land: The need for land was mentioned
as a high priority item by both pastors, the bishop, and by the Pygmies. It
seems that there is not enough land and what they have is steep and not of high
quality for agricultural purposes.
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