Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada.
Nutrients. 2021 Mar 28;13(4):1105. doi: 10.3390/nu13041105.
In Botswana, there is limited data available on the health and nutritional status of the San People (also known as the Basarwa or Bushmen), an Indigenous minority group primarily living in the Ghanzi District. Our aim in this study was to assess anemia prevalence among and anthropometric indices of women and young children in Ghanzi District through a cross-sectional survey. We recruited 367 mother-child pairs (women 15-49 years and children 6-59 months) in nine randomly selected areas. A capillary blood sample was collected, and weight and height were measured. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was measured with use of a hemoglobinometer (HemoCue, AB), as per global recommendations. Overall, adjusted anemia prevalence was 12% in non-pregnant women (Hb < 120 g/L), 26% in pregnant women (Hb < 110 g/L), and 42% in children (Hb < 110 g/L), but it varied widely depending on whether or not the controversial factor of ethnicity was adjusted for (range of 6-26%, 22-30%, and 35-68% prevalence, respectively). Thirty-nine percent ( = 133/344) of non-pregnant women and 52% ( = 12/23) of pregnant women were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m). In children aged 6-23 months, 41% were underweight (weight-for-age -score < -2 SD), 13% were wasted (weight-for-height -score < -2 SD), and 65% were stunted (height-for-age -score < -2 SD); in children aged 24-59 months, 57% were underweight, 13% were wasted, and 66% were stunted. Fifty-six percent ( = 205/367) of women self-reported smoking in any form (rolled cigarettes or snuffing). The high prevalence of smoking among women, underweight status among pregnant women, and anemia, stunting, and wasting among children is of the highest concern for public health and should be addressed in future health and nutrition programming.
在博茨瓦纳，关于 San 人（也称为 Basarwa 或 Bushmen）的健康和营养状况的数据有限，他们是主要居住在 Ghanzi 区的一个土著少数民族群体。我们在这项研究中的目的是通过横断面调查评估 Ghanzi 区妇女和幼儿的贫血患病率和人体测量指数。我们在九个随机选定的地区招募了 367 对母婴（15-49 岁的妇女和 6-59 个月的儿童）。采集毛细血管血样，测量体重和身高。根据全球建议，使用血红蛋白计（HemoCue，AB）测量血红蛋白（Hb）浓度。总体而言，非孕妇的调整后贫血患病率为 12%（Hb < 120 g/L），孕妇为 26%（Hb < 110 g/L），儿童为 42%（Hb < 110 g/L），但根据是否调整了有争议的种族因素，差异很大（患病率分别为 6-26%、22-30%和 35-68%）。39%（= 133/344）的非孕妇和 52%（= 12/23）的孕妇体重不足（BMI < 18.5 kg/m）。在 6-23 个月大的儿童中，41%体重不足（体重年龄 - 评分 <-2 SD），13%消瘦（身高体重 - 评分 <-2 SD），65%发育迟缓（身高年龄 - 评分 <-2 SD）；在 24-59 个月大的儿童中，57%体重不足，13%消瘦，66%发育迟缓。56%（= 205/367）的妇女以任何形式（卷香烟或鼻烟）报告吸烟。妇女吸烟率高、孕妇体重不足以及儿童贫血、消瘦和发育迟缓问题是公共卫生最关注的问题，应在未来的卫生和营养规划中加以解决。
