Maternal risk factors for childhood malnutrition in the Mazowe District of Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the maternal risk factors associated with childhood malnutrition.

DESIGN

An unmatched case control study of 327 children < 5 years of age.

SETTING

Primary health care clinics on the communal lands and commercial farms in the Mazowe District of Zimbabwe.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The relationship between maternal risk factors and childhood malnutrition was analysed. To correct for confounding variables a forward stepwise logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS

Odds ratio (95pc confidence limits) for childhood malnutrition were a working mother 5.69 (2.37 to 3.66) and lack of decision making power 2.86 (1.1 to 7.45) on the communal lands, and lack of extra income generating projects 3.92 (1.64 to 9.54) and previous death of a child 2.17 (1.08 to 4.39) on the commercial farms. In both areas malnutrition was associated with < or = 1 acre of land 3.66 (1.4 to 9.53) and p < 0.01 (Fisher's exact test) for the communal lands and commercial farms respectively), and father's income < or = Z$150/month 12.5 (2.5 to 100) and 5.56 (1.4 to 25.0) for the communal lands and commercial farms respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

To reduce childhood malnutrition in the rural areas reduced maternal work load and increased decision making power, better access to health care plus more access to land and higher income are all critical issues.