3018.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 5

Abstract #9003

Determinants of children's nutritional status in a rural district of the Eastern Cape: Planning community based nutrition programs

Thandi Rose Puoane, DrPH1, Boniwe Zulu, BSocScSocial2, Mickey Chopra, BSc, BM, DCH, MS3, David Sanders, MB, ChB, MRCP, D3, and Carl Lombard, PhD4. (1) Chronic diseases of lifestyle, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg , South Africa, P.O.Box 19070, Tygerberg, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa, 27 21 938-0805, Thandi.Puoane@mrc.ac.za, (2) University of the Western Cape, P/Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa, (3) Public Health Programme, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa, (4) Biostatic Division/Centre for Epidemilogic Research in South Africa, Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA