The increased interest in mortality studies in recent years has seen the proliferation of frameworks and models to study the factors underlying mortality. However, insufficient attention has been focused on the fact that in developing countries appropriate data rarely exist to test the validity of such models. The Matlab field station in Bangladesh has acquired international recognition because of the availability of longitudinal data of reliable quality since its inception in 1966. This paper is intended to present examples of studies showing how mortality and morbidity can be studied within a small area. The paper attempts to establish that although cost considerations prevent population laboratories like that of Matlab being replicated in every developing country, regional centres particularly in Africa could be usefully considered.

On early medical termination of pregnancy in a model clinic of Dacca City; report of a 1975 survey.