Beriberi in Degago refugee camp, Dire Dawa-Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

To determine the occurrence and the magnitude of beriberia house to house survey was conducted in Degago refugee camp in 1994. Among 500 subject 60 cases of dry beriberi were detected. Eighty three percent of all beriberi cases were detected in children between the age of 1-10 years. No case was seen in infants. The majority of the cases (90%) had used wheat as their only staple dier where the milling process is usually done at home. The public health importance of beriberi and measures that need to be taken are discussed.