Malnutrition and pregnancy wastage in Zambia.

An analysis of recent nutritional status and dietary surveys in Zambia reveal a widespread prevalence of malnutrition. Pregnant women suffer from serious protein inadequacy. Variations in the nutritional status of the population is shown to vary with respect to different ecological conditions and to the level of socio-economic development within each province. Because of the interdependence between the nutritional health of the mother and the outcome of pregnancy, there is reason to believe that the prevailing malnutrition among pregnant women may be responsible, not only for lower birth weight and congenital malformations, but also, for increased maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Zambia. Long-term solutions lie in the integration of nutrition concerns into sectoral development strategies; a commitment to reduce existing income disparities between the rural and urban areas; and innovative attempts to improve the efficiency of rural health institutions in the country.