Elucidation of Food Security as a Determinant of Malnutrition and Stunting on Children under Five Years: A Case of Insiza District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition remains a childhood scourge in Sub Saharan Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe and in the Insiza District, in particular. The district is rich in mineral (gold) deposits, vibrant agricultural (animal husbandry) and diverse ecosystems that has potential support self-sufficiency of its population. However, the cause to <5-year-old malnutrition and stunting remain to opaque requiring elucidation. Materials and Methods: A mixed method approach, where both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to elicit and describe in-depth people’s experiences on determinants of malnutrition and stunting in the Insiza District among the <5-year-olds. Statistical comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test using Graph Pad In Stat Software. Both probability and purposive sampling were used to triangulate and corroborate findings deriving meaning to explain the factors associated with wasting/ underweight. Results: Children with birth weights ±2.4kG were predominant in the study sample (57%) when compared to those who were born with 2.5-3.0 kG or >3.1 kG birth weights [19 fold more]. Two meals per day were taken frequently (57%) a mong adults comparable with birth weight underweight frequencies and feeding habits of infants <5-year-olds (53%), showing food insecurity in Isiza District. Households that lived on < US$1.00/day formed relatively the most prominent majority (73%) when compared to those who lived on US$0.87-1.67/day (23%) or US$1.87-2.50 (2%) or US$2.53-3.33 (2%). Health-related expenses (18.3%), education expenses (25%) and staple food related expenses (56.7%) took the bulk of the income without meaningful effect on child malnutrition. Fathers were over represented as household income usage decision markers in households with malnourished and stunted <5-year-olds (43%) compared to mothers, the family or both parents. Poverty was present in 65% of the households which had malnourished and or stunted children. Malnourishment was from nutritional deficit and non-nutritional lack (25%) while 20% had malnutrition from other determinants other than food consumption score. Conclusion: More than half (57%) children who developed malnutrition were underweight at birth and born in families with who had two meals a day (57%). Malnutrition was influenced negatively by marital status, household leadership, household income, size, religion, educations status and consumption scores.