A comparative study of the health of black preschool children living in the Umtata district of Transkei
Date
1994
Authors
Byarugaba, John
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the state of child health by comparing pre-school
children from three geographic zones in the Umtata district of Transkei.
The study area comprised' clusters from urban, peri-urban and rural areas for comparari -e
purposes. Ninety clusters of 12 pre-schoolchildren each were demarcated using a stratifie .
proportional cluster sampling technique thus giving a sample size of 1080 children.
Information collected included the children's anthropometric measurements [weight and
height], their immunisation status, the family's socioeconomic status and the
maternal/guardian's knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the GOBI package. The
child's place of birth, maternal education and paternal SUPPOl:t were also assessed.
Twenty one percent of children had been born at home. Many mothers were married but few
stayed with their husbands in rural areas because of migration for employment. Diarrhoea
was prevalent (2 week period prevalence) in all three zones ranging from 18% in urban to
25% in peri-urban areas. But while 72%mothers/carers knew about ORT and 56% had used
it to treat diarrhoea, only 3% knew how to prepare the solution properly. Breastfeeding was
practised early in life but by O'1eyear of age 7S% of mothers had stopped with 55% starting
supplementary feeds at one month of age. Ninety percent of all children were on
supplementary feeds by 4 months of age, Rural mothers generally breastfed longer than
others.
Regarding malnutrition, 10% of children were underweight [ranging from 8% in urban to
10% ill peri-urban], 26% were stunted [ranging from 14% in urban to 34% in rural areas]
and 4% had acute PEM [wasting). Nutritional status was based on Waterlow's classification.
Regarding socioeconomic status, the monthly per capita food expenditure [MPCFE] was
used and the lognormal distribution showed that 50% of all children came from homes
spending R21.00 or less per person on food per month.
The socioeconomic impact associated with urbanisation and rural-urban migration for employment
is discussed. Reasons for poor child health were examined and possible practical
interventional recommendations are made to promote child health in the face of rapid
urbanisation.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Medicine, University of the
Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for degree of Master of Science
in Medicine.
Johannesburg 1994.