Aids, drought, and child malnutrition in southern Africa

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15094282
AutoresJohn B Mason (Tulane University, autor de correspondencia), Adam Bailes (Tulane University), Karen Mason (0000-0003-1894-8740, Louisiana State University), Karen E Mason, Olivia Yambi, Urban Jonsson, Claudia Hudspeth, Peter Hailey, Andrea Kendle, Dominique Brunet (0000-0002-5725-0866, United Nations Children's Fund Zambia), P Martel (0000-0002-7862-9728)
Año2005
Volumen8
Número6
Páginas551-563
Fecha de publicación2005-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1079/phn2005726
PMID16236184
OpenAlexW2146655659
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas8
Referencias citadas4

Objective To investigate trends in child malnutrition in six countries in southern Africa, in relation to the HIV epidemic and drought in crop years 2001/2 and 2002/3. Design Epidemiological analysis of sub-national and national surveys with related data. Setting Data from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, compiled and analysed under UNICEF auspices. Subjects Secondary data: children 0–5 years for weight-for-age; HIV prevalence data from various sources especially antenatal clinic surveillance. Results Child nutritional status as measured by prevalence of underweight deteriorated from 2001 onwards in all countries except Lesotho, with very substantial increases in some provinces/districts (e.g. from 5 to 20% in Maputo (Mozambique, 1997–2002), 17 to 32% in Copperbelt (Zambia, 1999–2001/2) and 11 to 26% in Midlands province (Zimbabwe, 1999–2002)). Greater deterioration in underweight occurred in better-off areas. Areas with higher HIV/AIDS prevalences had (so far) lower malnutrition rates (and infant mortality rates), presumably because more modern areas – with greater reliance on trade and wage employment – have more HIV/AIDS. Areas with higher HIV/AIDS showed more deterioration in child nutrition. A significant area-level interaction was found of HIV/AIDS with the drought period, associated with particularly rapid deterioration in nutritional status. Conclusions First, the most vulnerable may be households in more modern areas, nearer towns, to whom resources need to be directed. Second, the causes of this vulnerability need to be investigated. Third, HIV/AIDS amplifies the effect of drought on nutrition, so rapid and effective response will be crucial if drought strikes again. Fourth, expanded nutritional surveillance is now needed to monitor and respond to deteriorating trends. Finally, with or without drought, new means are needed of bringing help, comfort and assistance to the child population

Environmental health · Geography · Malnutrition · Nutrition Disorders · Population · Research methodology · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Child Nutrition and Water Access · HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare