Why Poor Children Stay Sick: The Human Ecology of Child Health and Welfare in Rural Malawi

Abstract

Every year four and a half million children under five die in Asia, Latin America, and Africa from diarrhoea, caused by contaminated water. This is one of many reasons why improved drinking water is high on the agenda in many developments projects and plans. But what happens when better water is supplied? What is the impact upon child health? What experiences should be taken into account in the planning and implementation of schemed for better water supply for the African households? This case study of rural area in southern Malawi tries to give some answers.