Some aspects of child health in an urban township Lusaka.

Abstract

A random sample of 9 of the 235 sections in Lima Ward north of Lusaka have been studied. 8% of 213 households surveyed have been established in the last year. Each household has an average of 5.2 people but there are nearly 7 people to each house. There were 1118 people seen in these 9 sections of whom 48% were under 15 years old with 20.6% being under 5 years old. Over 22% were women of childbearing age and only 1.7% admitted to being 55 years or older. The birth rate was 59/1000 and the death rate 19.7/1000. Only 3/4 of the total adult population have received any education of whom there were many more men than women. There is no difference between the proportions of boys and girls presently at school. There was an estimated child loss of 166.7/1000 amongst women of parity 1 to 4 and 226.4/1000 for women of higher parity. Breastfeeding usually continues for 18 months or more although 11.7% of children reportedly stopped before a year old. Of 187 children of known immunization status 81% had received immunization against measles and 70.5% had received at least 2 doses of poliomyelitis vaccine. Nutritional status was difficult to quantify due to uncertainty of age. Considering weight for age nearly 18% were below 80% of average; height for age 21.2% were below 90% of average; but as regards weight for height only 1.7% were below 80% of average. This indicates that there is chronic malnutrition to which the children have become adjusted. Using mid-arm circumference measurements 6.5% of children were less than 80% of average. Measures are being explored to improve the collection of vital statistics in the Ward through cooperation with the Party Officials and to decrease mortality and morbidity due to diarrhea by instructing the people in the use of oral rehydration salts. (authors modified)