Title: Strategy for technical interventions for nutrition components of health, Lusaka, Zambia, February 12, 1997.

POPLINE Document Number: 125338

Author(s):

Sanghvi T

Source citation:

Arlington, Virginia, Partnership for Child Health Care, BASICS, 1997. viii, 24, [16] p. (Report|USAID Contract No. HRN-6006-Q-19-3032-00)

Abstract:

This report is one of 10 strategy papers prepared by BASICS consultants and produced on February 12, 1997, on the Nutrition Components of Health strategy in Zambia. The report identifies the gaps remaining in achieving program targets for a selected group of nutrition interventions. The report helps to determine priorities for USAID support. Participants in meetings on the Nutrition Components of Health strategy included representatives of the World Bank, the National Food and Nutrition Commission, WELLSTART, the Central Board of Health, UNICEF, and BASICS staff. Program interventions are based on the data that sustained health improvements in Zambia can be accomplished only with changes in the existing and extensive inappropriate practices in infant feeding. Over 40% of all child mortality is attributed to malnutrition. Only 26% of infants aged under 4 months are exclusively breast fed; this low breast-feeding rate is a contributing cause of mortality from diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. A large proportion of children are stunted, low-weight, vitamin-A-deficient, or iodine-deficient. Pregnant women are frequently anemic. The first section describes the nutrition problem, program accomplishments, government priorities, the institutional structure, and technical resources of USAID-supported agencies for nutrition. The second section identifies policy relevant issues related to the nutrition problem and summarizes the main focus of government-sponsored health and nutrition programs. The third section describes technical operations and identifies the gaps in promotion, prevention, and case management. The final section makes recommendations on priority interventions and strategies and for child health and nutrition programs and reproductive health programs. The analysis excludes the policy issues of food availability and food security.

Keywords:

Zambia
Technical Report
Recommendations
Nutrition Programs
Child Nutrition
Child Health
Program Development
Government Programs
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Nutrition
Programs
Organization and Administration