Determinants of Children's Nutritional Status in a Rural District: Planning Community Based Nutrition Programs.
Objectives: To (1) determine the extent of undernutrition in Mount Frere health district (2) identify factors associated with nutritional status of children 0-6 years old Methods Cluster sampling was used to select 1087 households with children aged 0-6 years old in 12 villages. Information on demographic, socio-economic, nutritional household food security, environmental factors was collected. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Results 1646 children were measured. The mean z-scores WFA and MUAC were -0.52(95% Cl -5.09- 5.73) and -0.04 (95% Cl -3.98-5.35) respectively, 3% were wasted, and 11 % were under- for age (UWFA). Unemployed mothers had 10% wasted children, and 9% UWFA. When the main carer was the father or siblings, 18% and 26% of children respectively were UWFA. Mothers who had less than five years of education had 17% of UWFA children. In families who use wood for fuel, 3% of the children were wasted, 11% were UWFA. Among families who use pit latrines and the bush as toilets, 5% and 3% of the children respectively were wasted, and 8% and 14% were UWFA. Households who did not grow mealies had a higher proportion of children who were UWFA than those who grew mealies: Among 85% of children who possessed a road to health card, 3% were wasted, 10% were UWFA. Conclusion: This study provides important information about the factors associated with young child nutritional status in rural South Africa and suggests directions for planning community based nutrition programmes.
Learning Objectives: To (1)determine the extent of undernutrion in Mount Frere health district (2) identify factors associated with nutritional status of children 0-6 years old
Keywords: Children, Emerging Health Issues
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of the Western Cape, South Africa Initiative for Sub-district Support, Health Systems Trust, South Africa
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.