Child malnutrition and mortality in Swaziland: Situation analaysis of the immediate, underlying and basic causes

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major confounding factor for child morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In Swaziland, about 31% of the under-five children are stunted in growth, where-as 1% and 6% are wasted and underweight, respectively. Hhohho region has the highest prevalence of underweight children (8.2%) relative to other regions such as Shiselweni (7.3%), Lubombo (6.7%) and Manzini (6.4%). The prevalence of infant and under-five children mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) are 85 and 102 deaths, respectively. Lubombo region has the highest cases of under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) of 115 when compared to rates in other regions, namely; Manzini (112), Shiselweni (100) and Hhohho (96). Despite the several child healthcare programmes, the problem of high child malnutrition places a significant hindrance towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 on reduction of child mortality. Potential determinants of childhood malnutrition and mortality in Swaziland can be categorized into three levels, namely: (a) immediate causes (inadequate dietary intake of protein, energy and micronutrients; diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases and HIV/AIDS, (b) underlying causes (inadequate access to food due to poverty and decline in food production; inadequate care of children and women, insufficient health services and unhealthy environment), and (c) basic causes (inadequate mother’s education and nutrition knowledge, insufficient human resources in child health care; inadequate policies on child nutrition and health care; inequitable distribution of household and national socioeconomic resources). This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the causal factors of childhood malnutrition and mortality in Swaziland, and further explores opportunities that could be adopted to address the malnutrition and mortality problem. It also aims to reinforce that in order to ensure effectiveness and sustainability of intervention programmes, there is need for multi-dimensional strategies and collaboration between all the stakeholders concerned with child nutrition, health and socio-economic development. However, the interventions must recognize the existing socio-economic differentials between the rural and urban areas, and the administrative regions.

Examining The Fundamental Role of School Gardening Programme and Its Impact on Malnutrition in South African Rural Communities

“…There is a need to educate the members of the public on sustainable techniques for home and school gardening, crop harvesting, preservation, and processing methods to limit post-harvest losses and retain the vital nutrients in the foods consumed. Home or school gardening is very important because it produces nutritious food and also assists in terms of food security (Masuku-Maseko & Owaga, 2012).…”

“…When children and older people are sick they can easily become malnourished because of loss of appetite and increased nutritional requirements. Moreover, these people will need proper health care and the majority of the members of the communities in rural areas rely on public health for treatment (Masuku-Maseko & Owaga, 2012). Proper health care refers to one being able to access treatment and prevention of diseases.…”

Strategi Program Peningkatan Gizi Sebagai Upaya Percepatan Penurunan Stunting

“…Jenis Makanan Pendamping ASI yang tepat harus diberikan sesuai dengan tahapan usia anak (Menteri Kesehatan RI, 2014). Pemberian MP-ASI terlalu dini atau terlalu lama serta kurang tepatnya porsi dan frekuensi pemberianan makanan dapat menyebabkan masalah gizi (Maseko & Owaga, 2012). Oleh karena itu, penyataan Andriani et al, (2022) menyatakan bahwa edukasi MP-ASI dianggap lebih efektif untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan Ibu sehingga kedepannya permasalahan gizi bisa terhindarkan.…”

Prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic malnutrition amongst children under five in Eswatini

“…2 This translates to a number of children born in Eswatini dying before reaching their fifth birthday and malnutrition is said to be one of the causes of this high mortality. 10 …”

“…2 This translates to a number of children born in Eswatini dying before reaching their fifth birthday and malnutrition is said to be one of the causes of this high mortality. 10 The Cost of Hunger Report indicated that every year, Eswatini has lost an estimated $92 million as a result of child under-nutrition, which is equivalent to 3.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), a loss that will recur annually if chronic malnutrition prevalence is not addressed and decreased. 11 There have been a number of studies conducted focusing only on the prevalence of several health conditions in the country, including malnutrition.…”