Social factors, nutrition and child mortality in a rural subsistance economy

Abstract

The results of the National Nutrition Status Survey of Zambia are used to identify the major social and nutritional factors associated with child death rates in the rural areas. These appear to be the parity of the mother, tribe and educational attainment of the parents’ and father's occupation. The tribal influence is due to tribal customs rather than geographical environment factors associated with the area of the country in which the parents live. The main causes of death are malaria and malnutrition, malaria being the more lethal agent. Nutritional status appears to he less important than the major social factors governing a child's family environment. It is proposed that public health measures to reduce the prevalence of malaria may lead to a more emphatic decrease in death rates than any nutritional programme. This should lead to a drop in the general fertility rate and hence stabilisation of population growth. Key words: Social factorsnutrition statuschild mortalityinfectionsrural areasdeveloping countriespublic healthnutrition policypopulation control Notes The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and are not in any way attributable to either the National Food and “Nutrition Commission of Zambia or to his present employer. Current address: Food Science Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Great Westminster House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AE.