A Research Project Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Background: There is evidence suggesting a considerably high prevalence of malnutrition in Zimbabwe. However, there is little evidence available to suggest the factors that may be associated with malnutrition in the local context. Objectives: This study investigates the distribution of malnutrition and the factors associated with each of three types of malnutrition (stunting, wasting and underweight) among Zimbabwean children aged 0-59 months for the period 2010/2011 Methods: The study makes use of the Zimbabwean Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) data from the 2010/11 survey. SaTScan software was used to identify clustering of malnutrition outcomes at the time of data collection. Binary Logistic regression for survey data was used to determine factors associated with each type of malnutrition, while unconstrained Generalised Ordered Logistic (GOLOGIT) regression for survey data was used to determine the factors associated with a four-level ordinal malnutrition variable, generated by summing up all the types of malnutrition a child had at the time of data collection. Bayesian hierarchical spatial models were built in INLA to incorporate spatial autocorrelation in the modelling of malnutrition. Results: Factors associated with at least two types of malnutrition in this study were mother’s body mass index (BMI), mother’s breastfeeding status, child’s sex, age group, birth weight category and twin status as well as household’s wealth index. There was a consistent observation that female children were at a less risk for malnutrition than males and also that higher birth weight was protective of malnutrition. There was no clustering of malnutrition outcomes. The spatial random components that were added to the Bayesian hierarchical models did not improve any of the models. Conclusion: The findings from this study are consistent with findings from other researches and identify the factors associated with each of the common types of malnutrition. In addition the study reveals that there was no particular spatial distribution of malnutrition outcomes at the time of data collection. The study suggests further investigation of the effects of dietary diversity and mothers’ decision making power on malnutrition. Zimbabwean policy makers can make use of the findings from this study to provide evidence on which to base nutritional programmes in the country.

No description available.

Diarrhoea is an important cause of illness throughout the world and remains a leading cause of death among infants and young children. The number of deaths from this condition is estimated at 5 million a year. There are important clinical differences in the disease as it manifests itself in previously normal well-nourished children compared with malnourished children. The major part of the total world problem today is concentrated in the industrially underdeveloped countries where malnutrition and retarded development are a feature of infancy and early childhood. In a recent review Ordway indicated the emphasis that is put on (1) the high morbidity and mortality rates among infants and young children, (2) the association with malnutrition, (3) the low socio-economic status of the affected population groups and (4) the multiple and often obscure aetiology of the disease. In this review special emphasis will be put on the association of the disease with malnutrition, where morbidity and mortality are highest. Accurate morbidity figures are not always available but where mortality is high, morbidity is also high.

Thesis (doctoral)--Umeå Universitet, 1986. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Umeå Universitet, 1986. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-176). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-176). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2007. / Prepared for: Dept. of Psychology. Bibliography: leaves 75 - 90. Also available online via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-54).

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/01/12). Includes bibliographical references.