Causes of malnutrition among children 1 - 5 years in informal settlements, Windhoek, Namibia
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study was conducted during the month of May 2006 in the informal settlements of Windhoek, Namibia. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of malnutrition among children between the ages of one and five years and to correlate possible causes, and other factors, with nutritional status
A cross-sectional descriptive study design was chosen. The sample was comprised of 350 respondents, mothers or caregivers of children between one and five years, residing in the non-formal settlements of Windhoek. Both urban and rural settlements were included in the study. Clusters coincided with the enumeration areas (EA) pre-determined for national census taking. The sample size was chosen to permit generalization of the results to the population under investigation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and present the data using SPSS and EPINUT databases. Data is presented in graphs and tables
Three main indices were used to report the nutritional status of children: weight-for-height (WH), height-for-age (HA) and weight-for-age (WA). The WH index determines the wasting rate, which in this study was found to be 19.7, and is classified as "high". The second indicator, HA, identifies stunting; it is caused by chronic malnutrition. In this study the stunting rate, with and incidence of 28.8, was rated "medium". The third indicator, WA, indicates an underweight condition. This indicator is complex as it takes into account both stunting and wasting. The underweight rate in the non-formal settlements was 35.7, which is considered very high
Finally, recommendations were made based on the study's findings
Description
Sumnitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Public Health
Keywords
Malnutrition in children, Children, Health and hygiene