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Who is the child at risk?
A A Kielmann1, D Neuvians, F D Mtango
1Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology : Official Organ of Deutsche Tropenmedizinische Gesellschaft and of Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
|December 1, 1989
Summary
A nutrition survey in rural Tanzania found low malnutrition rates. Key factors influencing child nutrition included household size, parental care, and village of residence, highlighting areas for targeted intervention.
Area of Science:
- Child Nutrition
- Public Health
- Rural Development
Background:
- Baseline data collection for a nutrition intervention program in Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
- Assessing preschool child nutritional status and identifying at-risk individuals.
- Understanding socio-economic and community factors influencing child health.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish a baseline for evaluating a nutrition intervention program.
- Identify children at risk of malnutrition.
- Analyze factors affecting preschool nutritional status in rural Tanzania.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey in eleven randomly selected villages.
- Collection of anthropometric measurements and socio-community variables.
- Multiple linear regression analysis to identify significant correlations.
Main Results:
- Relatively low prevalence of malnutrition compared to other developing regions.
- Significant negative correlations: child's age, household size, child mortality, paternal care, village of residence.
- Significant positive correlations: birth weight, breastfeeding, milk supplementation, sibling/nanny care.
Conclusions:
- Village of residence emerged as a critical factor influencing nutritional status.
- Further research is needed to pinpoint specific village-level variables for intervention optimization.
- Findings provide a foundation for targeted nutrition interventions in the region.