Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
Child nutritional status has been deteriorating in Zimbabwe since the early 1990s due to biological, behavioural, socio-economic, political and physical factors. A survey was used to carry out the study. A triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to ascertain the level and underlying factors of child malnutrition. A sample of 222 children under five years was determined for the anthropometric measurements. A total of 222 questionnaires were administered to caregivers of the sampled children. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The study noted high levels of chronic child malnutrition in the area. Insufficient food at the household level was the most important underlying factor of child malnutrition and had detrimental repercussions on dietary intake and diversity. The meals consumed by children were dominated by thick porridge (sadza) and green vegetables. The nutritional status of these children was being severed by high prevalence of infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria.

Keywords: child malnutrition, diet, diseases, infection, food insecurity, feeding

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