Nutritional status survey in Western Province of Zambia
Nwosu, G.C.
Central African Journal of Medicine 19(8): 178-179
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-9176 PMID: 4755304 Document Number: 65019
A survey in Zambia was of 4 villages and 2 primary schools in Senanga East, Senanga West, Mongu District and Kaonia District. It began during early rains in November 1971 and ended before mid-December 1971 when the people were at intensive farm work. Groups aged from birth to 2 years, 3 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50 and over 50 years numbered, 59, 40, 204, 194, 37, 27, 36 and 40 persons of whom 20, 25, 168, 120, 24, 21, 33 and 35 were malnourished and 7, 9, 76, 57, 14, 15, 25 and 34 had one or more signs of vitamin deficiency. Of all persons 71% and of those under 5 years old 45% were malnourished; 36% of all had vitamin deficiency. In Lusaka, 17% of 359 children under 5 years old had been malnourished judging by bodyweight-for-age (see NAR 38, 5392). "Malnourished" were those with at least 3 of 4 signs: clinical malnutrition, arm circumference or triceps skin-fold thickness below standard or bodyweight-for-height below standard. Standards were those of Jelliffe (Child health in the tropics, 3rd Ed. 1969).